Yesterday afternoon, I gave an interactive nutrition presentation to employees at Ernst & Young.  The participants are all trying to lose weight but for various reasons – reduce blood pressure, manage illnesses, increase self-esteem. Upscale magazine is supporting their efforts and will be writing about the process in an issue later this year – very cool.

Whenever I speak to a group, I try to leave them with practical information and actionable next steps.  For this particular team, I shared some of my favorite quick-and-easy recipes.  I emailed them out ahead of time, along with some other information, so everyone could come to the presentation prepared with questions.

To my delight, the only male in the group is the one who had gone through the info most thoroughly.  When I asked for questions, he quickly spoke up and said, “My first reaction when I heard that you were coming was that you were going to put us on a strict diet – no more good stuff.  Then I got your email and saw a recipe for pancakes.  So I can eat pancakes on this diet?”

My answer…”Well, yes and no.  You certainly can eat pancakes, however I would never attempt to put you on a diet.”

As many of you already know, I consider myself a pancake connoisseur [<<Eeks.  I had to look up the spelling on that one].  So, in my book, a life without pancakes is not worth living.

I thought it was so interesting that this guy already had the notion that I was going to take away all of his favorites.  He knew that I was coming to talk to them about weight loss, and he assumed that this would involve some manner of restrictive eating.  And I don’t blame him.

He made his assumption based on past experiences.  In fact, it was probably based on many, many past experiences.  Most weight loss experts would have told the team to avoid pancakes at all costs.  “Have cottage cheese instead,” is what they likely would have shared.  And that’s what makes me different.

I’ve never seen someone lose weight on cottage cheese alone.  However, through my weight loss coaching, I’ve seen success when women are given the permission to eat what they want, when they’re hungry.  Can this involve cottage cheese?  Not for me, but it does for those who genuinely do enjoy it.

Whatever your favorite foods may be, don’t subject yourself to an eating plan that takes all of the pleasure out of eating for you.  It won’t work long-term, and it’s just not worth it.