I think many of us fail at dieting because we view it as temporary instead of permanent. We also seem to think that if we do this temporary diet-thing, we can RETURN to the lifestyle that made us fat in the first place, yet THIS time we will stay slender.
That is self-delusion on a platter!
Or another definition of insanity.
Let's be realistic here - it is our pre-diet lifestyle that made us fat in the first place (most of us, anyhoo!) and by "lifestyle" I mean our eating and exercise habits.
In order to shed weight
and keep it off permanently we need to a) find an eating plan we can stick to for life, b) find an exercise regimen that feels more like fun than like work, c) laugh out loud every day (life is short and better spent laughing!), d) we need a support network (virtual or real, makes no difference), and e) we need to relearn what healthy is.
What healthy is NOT is any of the "whites" (white flour, white sugar, white pasta, white rice) as they have calories, are for the most part simple carbs which are metabolized as straight sugar (insulin spike anyone?), and have no nutrients to speak of.
It is extremely unfortunate that we have been brainwashed into being price-sensitive when it comes to food. If you owned a Maserati, would you put cut-rate gas in it or high test? Yet, with your one-and-only body you put in the cheapest possible ingredients.
It's no wonder we have epidemic obesity, type II diabetes, heart disease, high cholesterol!
**Digression**
At the turn of the 20th century, before there were hydrogentated fats, cardiovascular disease claimed 15% of all deaths. Today, it's responsible for more than 50%. Cancer claimed 3% (3!!) but today claims nearly 25% (that's one in four adults who die prematurely will die due to cancer). Estimates are that 100 years ago, 60% of Americans' fat consumption was in the form of omega 6 (corn, safflower oils and the like) and 40% in the form of omega 3 (flax, fish oil). Today however, 95% of the fats consumed by Americans is in the form of omega 6.
Hydrogenated (trans) fats are used in commercial products (cookies/cakes/crackers/salad dressings, etc) in part because
when it turns rancid there is no change in taste - voila! Longer shelf life and higher profits for commercial food industry.
Hydrogenated fats have been linked to abnormal cell-wall construction, depletion of essential fatty acids, aberrant nerve tissue formation. 50-75% of all fat consumed in the US is in the form of hydrogenated fats. If you do NOTHING else to improve your health, steer clear of ALL hydrogenated or partially hydrogenated food products. Even those labeled "fat-free" or "low-cholesterol" or "low carb" are complete garbage.
**end digression**
Many of us find we keep falling off the healthier-eating bandwagon for various reasons.
Quote:
People are naturally more comfortable on Phase I/early dieting because it is structured. There are not many choices to make and they can lose weight, feel better and continue without trigger foods such as grain, dairy, etc. The difficulties arise when they are faced with choices...because in the past their choices have not led them in a healthful direction. So, many want to eat nothing or everything. It is classic black and white thinking -- the shades of gray are not apparent to them. I suggest that folks start to think in less drastic terms about their habits. Staying in balance is the key and an enormous challenge. It takes practice and a willingness to keep at it and not beat yourself up if you do go off plan now and then.... that is the human way!
In addition, emotional eaters should get their hands on two great books on the subject:
Life is Hard, Food is Easy, by Linda Spangle and
Taming of the Chew by Dr. Denise Lamoth.
One last thing, sometimes the road to a healthier, slender you DOES mean you have to give up <insert fave food here>. Get over it. It's THAT very food that helped turn you into an obese, moody, fatigued, bloated mega-you. Find a NEW healthier fave food.
You deserve a long healthy slender life, but YOU are the only one who can make it happen. We're here to cheer you on, so get cracking! I'm going to wait over there in the corner with my pom-pom thingies------>