For many of us diet truly is the word die with the “t” added. However, more and more, we are hearing the words “lifestyle changes” instead of the word diet. While we all know that diet = weight loss (hopefully!), it is becoming evident that in order to truly lose the weight and keep it off, you will need to completely re-evaluate your thinking and this goes hand in hand with re-evaluating your lifestyle and, for most of us, get ready to make some serious changes.
Twenty years ago, diet fads came and went regularly, however, despite all the “diets” and information at our disposal, we are still overweight and we are trending towards continuing to do so. It is apparent that diets don’t work – mainly because the word diet implies a beginning and an end to the foods or to the way we eat the foods we love. We are therefore entering any diet with the wrong mind frame – that is that we will start our diet today and be “really good” for a period of time and then we can go back to eating like we use to – and that is the problem. Unfortunately, if we return to our old eating habits, changes are very good that we will regain all the weight we lost and more.
However, if we choose to change our lifestyles and our views on food, there is a very good chance that we will lose the weight we need to lose and more importantly keep it off. But, and the “but” is huge here, the big difference is that the eating habits you develop will stay with you for the rest of your life. There is no going back to “the way it was before”.
For same, this seems scary. Never eating another chocolate bar again? Although it may seem drastic, it is important that we honestly and realistically assess what we can and cannot eat and specifically how we are eating it. Over the years, portion sizes have increased dramatically. Everything seems to be “supersized” and for no apparent reason. However, if it is on our plate, we seem to feel compelled, in many cases, to eat it. How about reducing your portions just a little bit? By making this simple change, you will see a significant weight loss. How about reducing the amount of sugar you automatically put in your coffee? Even reducing your sugar intake by just a little bit will make a big difference.
If you absolutely insist on calling your new way of eating and thinking a “diet” then go ahead and do so, but really, when you think about it, it truly is a lifestyle change.
February 8, 2010 at 1:50 pm
I agree! Most people are not patient enough when they cannot see the effect of small changes right away. But as you and I know, small changes over time create the desired weight loss… for a life time.
If people continue to feel successful because they lose weight on a “diet” even if it is temporary weight loss, they will think that “diets” work. They will also think that when they regain the weight once the diet stops, that it is their fault and feel failure.
They will blame themselves for their failure and even continue to yo-yo. The fault is usually that the diet is over restrictive and impossible to maintain in the long term.
Unless you get to the root cause of why someone over eats in the first place all the tools, nutrition and training plans, are not likely to help in the long term.
February 8, 2010 at 4:43 pm
I think “experts” want to have answers so they always have a diet they’re promoting. An easy answer when people ask “what should I eat” is “follow this____diet”. For years it was the south beach diet or the zone diet. Paleo seems to be in fashion at the moment. Healthy food choices need to be a lifestyle. I think for the most part the world is fatter, not better fed. Selecting healthy foods is a choice every time we eat. Making good choices over time add up to results.