If you've undergone a weight loss process, are actively trying to lose weight, or are between the ages of 13 and 80, you've probably tried to go on a "diet" at least once. From Atkins, to paleo, and programs such as RP training, there are so many diets out there that it's hard to keep track of what's actually a good, productive, and sustainable diet.
When it comes down to it, dieting is normally temporary. You have an end date, you do it for only a month or two, or you get tired of it after a while and quit.
I've tried dieting a fair number of times with different programs. Whole30, Paleo, cutting out bread and sugar completely, and considered going on an RP program. There are so many of pictures of people who've been successful on these diets, so why can't I be? I've only completed a diet program once, and otherwise have quit after a couple of weeks or even a couple of years. I love good food, hate limiting what I can eat, and usually by going on a diet, I end up craving those "off-limits" foods more. Deprivation only increases the desire for the product which we can't have. As a result, we may binge eat when we finally have that cookie that's been staring down at us from the top of our pantry. My boyfriend recently showed me this video (posted down below) where Sandra Aamodt, a neuroscientist, discusses dieting and why so many people are unsuccessful in the long run. She emphasizes and encourages mindfulness over regulating what we consume rather than participating in fad diets. Mindfulness tactics include (according to Aamodt): -Eating only when you're *truly* hungry -Stopping when you're full -Giving yourself permission to eat as much as you want and seeing what feels good and what doesn't -Sitting down to regular meals without distractions Diets are only temporary solutions to a lifetime of potential problems. Currently, my boyfriend and I are on a self-regulated change where we watch our carb intake, consuming what we want within a healthy limit. We have not put anything off limits, and acknowledge if meals were higher in "bad carbs" (e.g. bread, pasta, etc.) than they needed to be. My primary goal is to make this change sustainable for the long run, and to replace bad habits with good ones. Because nothing is off limits and I want my carb intake to be as close to 50g per day, I'm eating more vegetables and putting less junk into my body. Why waste the carbs on a bag of cheese-its when I could have a whole sandwich instead? Doing this has made me more aware of what I'm putting into my body to help fuel myself for the day ahead. When it comes down to it, there are lifestyles that fit everyone. While this could be an all-natural and raw meal plan for someone, it could be having some whole wheat toast with breakfast for another person. Now, I'm not saying that you can eat whatever you want and still lose weight. That's just not how it works. I'm saying that you have to be aware of what you're ingesting and create healthy habits based off of how you best function. Instead of going to McDonald's after school, have a burger at home on a whole wheat bun with extra veggies instead. Instead of having two brownies at someone's birthday, have one. It's all about moderation, alternatives, and being mindful of what and why you're eating.
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AuthorElena B. Archives
June 2020
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