This morning, I have a challenge to my nutrition—and I know it’s coming. I’m meeting up with friends for a workout, and afterward, we’re catching up over coffee. Seems harmless enough!

The challenge? We’re going to one of two places where I’ve craved the food—high fat, high carb, and little nutritional value. But here’s why this matters:

I know this is coming, so there’s no reason I can’t plan ahead and take control of my nutrition.

Here’s my plan. I’ve already had my breakfast for the day. Even though I’ll be working out, I don’t need more calories to sustain me. I’ll drink water during my workout and enjoy coffee afterward with my friends. But I also know what’s going to happen when I walk into that place. The sights, the smells—that little voice in my head will kick in: “Mmm… that looks good. You can work it off later!”

But let’s be honest—I probably wouldn’t work it off.

More than likely, I’d give in, indulge in an unnecessary second breakfast, feel bloated, and end up taking an unplanned nap. Then later, the self-flagellation would start: “You knew you shouldn’t have eaten that. See? You’re never going to get on top of this nutrition thing.” Or some version of that.

Here’s the trick…

That’s not what I eat.

That’s my mantra for now. It’s already helping—I caught myself saying it last night while grocery shopping. Cake? That’s not what I eat. Candy? That’s not what I eat. Ice cream? That’s not what I eat.

To be fair, in my mind, it’s more like, “That’s not what I need to eat to meet my goals.” But for now, I’m faking it till I make it. And once I make it? I’ll keep saying it anyway.

Will this work? I don’t know. But I do know that every goal—every commitment—has a mental component. This is my strategy for today. So when I sit down with my friends, surrounded by the tempting sights and smells of breakfast, it’s no problem.

Because that’s not what I eat.