Sex With Your Pants On – Why Diets Fail

I didn’t come up with the title phrase. It comes from Whole 30. It’s one of the reasons I believe their approach to going paleo is so successful. The changes I saw in myself and in others is largely why diets fail – too much sex with your pants on. Back in 2014 I began my paleo journey by doing a Whole 30. What do they mean when they say “sex with your pants on” and how can this one phrase be the thing that makes some more successful than others?

When most people go on a diet they allow themselves cheat days. They tell themselves that they’ll be good for 6 days and then do whatever they want on the 7th day. This is why I believe most people never make a true lifestyle change and why diets fail. When a person is trying to quit cocaine or heroin we don’t tell them to keep a little in their pocket and we definitely don’t tell them to go all out once a week. Sugar affects the same area of the brain as heroin and cocaine which is why I used them for an analogy. If you’re trying to slay the sugar dragon does it make any sense to feed the dragon once a week? We all know that feeding the stray cat will likely guarantee that it always returns. This is one of many reasons why diets fail.

SWYPO & Whole 30

Other than eliminating cheat days Whole 30 takes it to another level. During your 30 days there are no cheats. If you cheat, you have to start all over on day 1. There are no added sweeteners of any kind, not even stevia. Finally, there are no paleo treats allowed: no breads, muffins, cakes, cookies, chips, etc. It’s straight up whole foods.

Most people aren’t good eaters when they’re little. In the teen years they’re often worse. When they go off to college they don’t typically have the budget for much real food. Then we go out into the world with 2 decades of poor eating experiences behind us. Between not eating well and most people having zero knowledge about how their body works, do you get why we have an epidemic of poor health?

I know it sounds brutal but the mindset shift that occurs is something I think a lot of dietary approaches ignore. Gimmicks are rampant, food plans are all over the internet, and we have more apps, gadgets, technology, and information than ever before. Yet we’re sicker than ever with a diet failure rate of 99%. It’s because all of the things I just mentioned ignore the subconscious habits, beliefs, and mindset that keep you stuck. They more often than not end up putting you right back where you started with less money in your pocket.

Why Diets Fail

Paleo treats are more expensive that their vegetable oil and grain counterparts. Many of them have to be made at home whereas other treats can be bought from nearly any store shelf. Initially you may be excited to make these paleo treats but eventually they’ll lead you back to where you started. The point they make in the book is that Sex With Your Pants On eventually leads to actual sex. Swapping one muffin for another doesn’t really teach you anything about eating real food and you’re going to find yourself giving up and going for the real thing. Let’s face it – gluten is the thing that makes baked goods enjoyable. Paleo baked goods may be tasty but they’re simply not the same.

Surely you remember your dating days of dry humps that eventually led to the real thing. Treats are the same thing. It doesn’t matter if they’re paleo, keto, or AIP. If you haven’t put in the work and given yourself some distance from industrialized food you’re going to find your way back to it. As a member of many food groups online I see posts daily from people wondering why they fell off the “insert special diet” wagon.

See, food companies are motivated to sell more product. Selling more product equals more profits. They’ve done this by hijacking your brain and hormones. Not only do they know that sugar makes you want to eat more they also add appetite stimulating chemicals such as MSG. Then they fund studies and say that their soda is fine, you simply need to move more. “Science” funded the the food industry is one of the many reasons why diets fail. They skew the “scientific” data leaving people and the medical community confused about what healthy actually looks like. Reclaiming your hormones is the ultimate act of defiance to take back your health. This is why most people need a month or more of simply eating real food: meat, veg, healthy fats, and minimal fruit.

Slaying The Sugar Dragon

Initially it feels like a big deal. You wonder how you’ll make it. How in the world will you drink your coffee black? You’ve always told yourself that you have a sweet tooth and that you can’t help yourself. My question to you is when did you give yourself an immovable definition? Did you sit down and say this is how I am and it can’t be changed? I’m here to be a bit in your face and point out that you are not a tree – you can move. If you can choose one thought you still have the free will to choose another. One thing that helps most people make successful change is focusing on their WHY. WHY do you want to slay the sugar dragon? Surely that reason is more compelling than whatever baked good, coffee, or other sugary treats you’ll give up for the next 30 days.

The most marvelous thing that happens is that suddenly one day your sugar cravings will simply disappear and you’ll wonder what the big deal was. You don’t have to believe me but I challenge you to try. Every diet on the planet agrees that sugar isn’t good for us so what are you waiting for? You can strengthen your immune system with less sugar, you’ll find that weight loss will become easy, your hormones will improve, and you can improve athletic performance.

For many simply changing your diet is enough but there are also lifestyle factors that can keep you on the sugar train: sleep, stress, and your workout routine. If you find that you’re struggling to slay the sugar dragon with diet changes alone don’t overlook these areas. You can read more about them here and here.

How To Get Started

I find that there are two types of people when it comes to making a lifestyle change. There are those who prefer to ease their way in – for those taking medications I highly suggest this approach to a 180 degree switch. You can get started by simply removing the things you won’t miss. To help you further dial in your real food lifestyle my friends at Real Plans sent me a free week trial to share with you.

You’ll get -> A Week of Paleo Recipes | A Shopping List For The Recipes | A Cooking Timeline

The brilliance of Real Plans is that the shopping list tells you exactly how much to buy so that you don’t end up with rotten produce in your refrigerator. Everything gets used. Their timeline reminds you to pull the meat out of the freezer so that you’re always prepared to make dinner.

Before deciding if you want the free week you can watch the video and learn more. OR you can click here and tell me where to send them.

Originally posted on July 29, 2020 @ 11:26

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