Dieting…
It is a word that means something different to everyone. Here, when I say “I don’t diet” I mean that I no longer choose to try this fad diet or that fad diet for quick and sometimes unhealthy weight loss.
I used to try a lot of different things hoping for that miracle. Including, this one diet where you replace two meals a day with a shake or a meal replacement bar. I will admit this one worked in the sense that I lost a lot of weight. However, I was always tired and I was pretty weak. I didn’t feel fit or healthy at all.
Then, when I started to include more real food into my diet I realized how hungry I was and how much my body was missing. And I ended up gaining the weight back.
At this point I realized I just needed to make a full lifestyle change.
There is no quick fix.
So what kind of changes did I make?
Mindset
You need to have the right mindset. This means realizing that being healthier is part of your life not a 1 month diet. Everyday you are going to make healthier choices, you are going to be active. There is no “off track.” Know that you are going to have bad days, you are going to eat things you shouldn’t have, you are going to miss a workout. That’s ok, next meal or next day just go back to healthy.
I used to really struggle with this. I would do a workout program with a set schedule, then I would miss a workout and then feel like I’d have to start over again. Honestly, this is still a struggle for me at times.
Find What Works For You
This took a lot of trial and error to learn what really works for my lifestyle and actually works. I started by taking one step at a time. I still continue taking steps towards improving.
One of the best ways I found to start was to just track everything you eat. I mean everything, even that random single cookie (if it was really only eat one…) that you grabbed on the go.
I personally love MyFitnessPal to do this. It’s an app you can use on your PC or your phone. With the option to scan labels and see your nutrition vs calories. After a week or so analyze what you are eating. Check how much protein, carbs, sugars you are eating. Then figure out what a better balance may be for you.
You would be surprised by some of the foods you may think are healthy that aren’t as healthy as they should be. So start swapping out some of those foods with real foods. If you need to start with small things and just keep making improvements as you go.
At first, I tried fancy healthy recipes. Which were great but increased my grocery bill and sometimes took a lot of time to prep. I learned that the simpler the better for me.
After awhile you will have a daily routine for the most part. For me, its pretty simple. Breakfast, Snack 1, Lunch, Snack 2, Dinner, Snack 3. I keep my meals pretty small and eat throughout the day. This keeps me fuller and keeps me from grabbing foods I shouldn’t.
And remember what works for one person may not work for another. So find what works for you and do not compare yourself to others.
Check out these Tips to Create a Healthy Lifestyle
Comments
I hate thinking of it as a diet. Such a negative term! Eating healthy & being active is a lifestyle. These fad diets drive me nuts. I watch countless people more or less starve themselves, then have success losing weight, then eventually gain it all back. Most diets don’t teach you how to eat! I always remind people that losing weight is the easy part…maintaining it is difficult. That being said, I still haven’t been able to lose the last 5 pounds of my baby weight 🙁 haha
Eating healthy & being active is a lifestyle is always something I’m trying to work towards. Great article you made some excellent points.
I am on the fitness track now. I loved when you said that there is no quick fix. I already want the results I want like yesterday. This was a great article thank you for sharing.
I also do not “diet.” I prefer to eat a balanced diet full of vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and lean protein to maintain good health. And all things in moderation!
I have spent my life being on diets and I finally learned that it does not make me happy at all. I have just started eating healthier and exercising and not worrying about the fad diet of the month.
A well-structured article!
Diets work for some but not all, and diets that cause you to be weak are ones you should quit quick. Seems like you really likes this app and I’m sure others will too.
Diets don’t work anyway. We need to make a lifestyle change and incorporate exercise and sensible portions of food to our daily routine.
You are right, our mindset matters too.
I have never dieted and don’t plan to anytime soon. I agree figuring out what works for you is best, including being active.
I guess the word diet are being losely used. However, just enjoy what you eat and whatever too much is not good.
I just ensure I consume a balance diet to live healthy. Great write-up.
Yeah I always say don’t diet. Just make it a lifestyle. It’s easier that way.
I do not diet, because most of us end up becoming slaves to most of these diet programmes out there without achieving much. Healthy eating and a positive lifestyle is the key.
I hear ya!!!Diets do NOT work long-term and are only a quick fix. You ahve to readjust many things to keep a long-term goal x
I’ve spent a lifetime trying to explain this concept to my dad. He will fast for a day then binge on ice cream and burgers… Then he acts surprised when he gains a pound.
You are so right as diets dont work. It is a lifestyle of healthy eating and treats once in a while.
I have attempted a few diets in my lifetime, but I realized I like food way too much to ever stick to most of them. I agree, you need a mindset of being healthy more than a diet. I think changing your lifestyle is a lot more permanent fix anyway.
I love your way of thinking, it is definitely something I need to try and take on board, I keep getting stuck in the diet cycle, which in itself is most definitely not healthy.
You are so right! And often people misuse the word “diet” as a verb rather than a noun. We ALL have a diet. You can’t just “go on a diet.” But what we CAN do is change our diet and in doing so change our mindset 😀
This rings so true to me. Once I gave up the quest for the quick fix and started a lifestyle change everything was easier. I lost weight almost effortlessly and didn’t spend my life denying myself or counting calories. Balance and 80/20 are what I now promote!
There are so many “Fad Diets” that it can all get so confusing. I think making better decisions is the best “diet”.
I actually never believe in dieting, eating right, healthy and active lifestyle is all you need to balance out your body need.
I don’t also diet. I eat everything that I want to eat but always in moderation. I mean portion control.
I also do not believe in diets.
I completely agree with you on this especially when you stated that ” being healthier is part of your life not a 1 month diet.” We need to start seeing the bigger vision and not just the short term gains.
I don’t diet and I can eat whatever I want. But I always make sure to have a good run twice or thrice a week to burn those calories.