Learn how to stop counting calories by adopting the 80/20 rule for eating like Meredith Romano! The principle behind it is simple: aim for healthy, nourishing food most of the time (80%), while allowing yourself to enjoy treats or restaurant meals without guilt on occasion (20%). Keep reading to learn more about this revolutionary concept and how it can help you transition into a healthier lifestyle.
How To Stop Counting Calories Through The 80/20 Rule For Eating
Being in the healthcare industry and working long hours, Meredith knows that eating healthy is important. Unfortunately, like many other people, she fell into the trap of thinking that because you work out hard at the gym, you can eat whatever you want—and that wasn’t the case.
Despite putting in many hours of training, Meredith kept gaining weight, which made her unhappy, self-conscious, and desperate to shed the extra pounds.
To turn it around, Meredith started learning about macronutrient requirements and how to determine what her body needs. But this led to an obsession with calorie counting. Although she tracked everything she ate, Meredith wasn’t reaching her goals. She spent hours making meal plans to meet her macronutrient requirements. But she also shamed herself whenever she enjoyed a cheat meal or a cocktail.
Meredith then came across paleo, and she was instantly hooked. Not only did it help her stop counting calories and restricting food, but it also transformed her life. Allowing herself to enjoy treats every now and then became important, so she followed the 80/20 rule. She eats 80% whole foods and 20% non-paleo, and she doesn’t feel bad about it.
For her, meal prep is key. Working 10-hour shifts and having healthy breakfasts and lunches ready to go means consistency and no chance of resorting to junk food. Batch cooking helps to avoid the urge to buy and makes meals easy.
How To Fit Paleo Lifestyle Seamlessly Into A Busy Life
Meredith knows that we all lead busy lives. We have full-time jobs, children, thriving social lives, hobbies, travel, and the like—and while the initial transition to paleo can be daunting, it’s a lifestyle that can fit seamlessly into a busy life.
Want to know her key to success?
- Keep it easy and simple.
- Find foods you enjoy and focus on recipes that use those.
- Meal prep for the week.
- Don’t beat yourself up if you fall off track. Just get back on as soon as possible.
- Avoid a restrictive mindset.
- Never compare yourself to other people.
Finding Balance In Life Through Paleo Lifestyle
For people who lead a busy life and want to enjoy other activities, the paleo lifestyle is the way to go. Meredith is living proof. Meredith managed to put aside her obsessive calorie counting and learn to find balance in her life after finding paleo. She now follows the 80/20 rule of eating and lets herself enjoy treats every now and again.
Meredith’s paleo recipes are ones you will not want to miss. All her recipes are full of flavor and super simple to make, so you won’t have to add more stress to your life.
Breakfast recipes are a great mix of sweet and savory and can all be prepped ahead, like chia seed pudding, chorizo egg cups, and breakfast balls. For lunches and dinners, the flavor doesn’t stop.
She has recipes like buffalo chicken spaghetti squash boats, Asian chicken salad, stuffed poblano peppers, roasted cauliflower soup, and pecan-crusted salmon. Meredith hasn’t forgotten about snacks with homemade guacamole, buffalo cauliflower bites, and a great mix of sweet and salty with prosciutto-wrapped dates.
If you want to learn more about Meredith and her journey with paleo, follow her social media account on Instagram – @dishing_it.
