Little sacrifices add up — the “change jar theory” of weight maintenance

When I was a struggling college student I never spent my change. I always threw it into a tennis ball can I kept on my dresser. Then, when the day came that I ran low on money and really needed to eat (and that day always came) I would dig into the can. I always found I could feed myself for a few more days that way. I was always impressed with how quickly the change built up.

According to Glee Magazine, this effect with food can sabotage your carefully-crafted weight maintenace plan and cause you to gain 20 lbs every year.

I see that as glass-half-full thinking. Another way to look at this is that cutting minor portions out of your daily consumption will add up over time and make it easier for you to maintain or even lose weight. Every sacrifice, regardless of how minor, counts. Skipping those last few bites on your plate, having one cookie instead of two, or even forgoing sugar in your coffee all add up over time. This way, when you share a dessert you would normally eat on your own, you get to feel proud of your self-restraint rather than guilty over your lack of control.

(via That’s Fit)

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