Why Diets Don't Work

So many people are on "diets" these days that some might think it's really the right thing to do. After all, there are plenty to choose from: Atkins, Weightwatchers, McDougall's, The Zone, Overeaters Anonymous, Slim-Fast, Grapefruit, Cabbage Soup and Apple Cider Vinegar -- just to name a few. What typically happens is that people will go on a "diet" for a period of time, lose some weight, go off the diet and gain the weight back. Oftentimes, they gain even more weight and end up being bigger than they were before. That's why diets don't work so you don't need to bother going on one.

To significantly lose weight and improve health, we must make committed lifestyle changes. Instead of referring to the way we eat as a diet, we simply need to think of it as 'a way of eating and living.' When we make a lifestyle change we don't stop it when we reach a weight loss goal or certain blood pressure or blood sugar levels or when we've been able to go off of certain medications. When we make a lifestyle change we keep right on living our changed lifestyle as our health improves because we don't only want to reach our goals -- we want to maintain and sustain them.

Making a lifestyle change can be quite challenging but it is not impossible and becomes easier with practice. Once we commit to making a change that will benefit our health and improve our lives we need to work out the details for how we are going to make our plan work. That's when we choose the 'way of eating' not a diet -- that will best fit our current lifestyle and personality and most importantly, the healthy lifestyle we'll most likely be able to maintain for the long haul. If the way of eating we choose is the Atkins, Weightwatchers, McDougall's, Overeater's Anonymous or another eating plan that's fine as long as it is a healthy well-balance way of eating. And, if that plan ceases to work for you after a period of time, don't be afraid to switch to another healthy eating plan. Just don't go back to your old way of eating that got you in to trouble in the first place.

Getting adequate support for yourself is very important. Whether it's a support group from church, an organization, family, online discussion or chat group get support from someone who has your best interest at heart so they can either join you in your endeavor or encourage you to keep up the good work. One more very important fact is this: Being an imperfect fleshly being, there will be times when you stray from your healthy lifestyle plan. Deal with that by forgiving yourself and promising yourself that you will get right back on track with your next bite, meal or even the next day. Sometimes we need to allow ourselves that one day to just eat what we want. Some experts recommend allowing yourself the flexibility to eat what you want just one day a week. Some say we should do this on three or four special occassions out of the year and only indulge on those days. Still others say "Don't indulge at all" because once you stray from your eating plan it is difficult but not impossible to get back on track. Choose the approach that works best for you. Allowing myself to eat what I want one day a week is what I like to do, but -- it really is quite a challenge to get back on track the next day sometimes. Especially if I have leftovers from a food in which I indulged. Lastly, but no less importantly is the fact that many of us eat for emotional reasons. It is important to address those emotional issues in order to address the eating we do in response to them. We have to break the habit of "feeding our feelings." As you do with your nutrition lifestyle change you will need good support from your chosen spirtitual, physical or online emotional support group or person. Addressing your feelings without feeding them with food is an important part of your healthy lifestyle change. One thing you can do today to improve your health is to make a commitment to live a healthy lifestyle. Be Encouraged! Andrea Hall-Miller HC#798