This Article originally appeared on Health.com – and to insure they get credit, I have lopped off the end of it! So go there to check it out, I however saw it on CNN.com – http://www.cnn.com/2014/01/17/health/why-new-diets-fail/index.html?hpt=he_c2
My dislike for the article is tempered with like. Which points do I dislike – well, I believe that there surely is a one size fits all diet from the standpoint of rules. I then think you use the understanding of those rules to manufacture your own personal direction. But the approach to diet stats with an understanding of what creates weight loss.
That said, anyone can lose weight if they are 40# over weight, by simply eating less, and working out more. Reduce certain foods, and you will see results. Even those of you who would say, “I have tried everything, and nothing works”… you too could do it pretty easily with a few of the correct modifications. However, you will run into a plateau. You will find that somewhere, you get stuck, and your goal is still beyond your reach.
Others will fall into the category that the author describes, where you will decide that you “just don’t work that way”. Which is a cop out. You have addictions, and at some point in pursuit of health, you will have to confront those addictions, or once again, be stuck without the ability to reach your goals. Ask anyone who has completely changed their appearance, and they will tell you it was a hard fight. Never easy. PERIOD. So the ultimate reality is this:
Reaching your goals requires both
- Knowledge of how diets work.
- The mental training to stay committed.
I think it is mostly mental. SO take that into this article, and see what you think. I would appreciate your comments! See mine in Italics throughout, Be well and Be blessed! – Dr. E
(Health.com) — The start of the new year is the ultimate opportunity to undo the holiday damage, make a fresh start and resolve to avoid the indulgences that have left you feeling less-than-confident about your body.
To get results that won’t fizzle out before February, check out my previous post “5 questions to ask before trying any diet” on Health.com, as well as the tips below for coping with the challenges that often go along with a new quest to shed pounds.
Confusion over which approach is best
The top question I’m asked these days is, “What should I do?!” Nearly everyone I talk to feels overwhelmed about the myriad of popular approaches others swear by, many of which are drastically different from each other, including detoxes and cleanses, ditching carbs and eating like a caveman, going gluten free, and becoming vegan.
I don’t think there is a one-size-fits-all, but in my 15+ years counseling clients, I do know this: if a particular approach doesn’t feel right for you, it will surely backfire.
For example, I recently had a client who, before working with me, had cut out all carbs, including whole grains, fruit, and most veggies. Despite struggling with fatigue, headaches, mood swings, intense cravings, and trouble concentrating at work, she tried to stick with it, because an ultra low-carb diet seemed to be the trendy way to lose weight. After breaking down and bingeing on bread, then sweets, and realizing that her body and brain “just didn’t work right” without any carbs, she was ready for a different approach.
Before you begin your chosen weight loss tactic, do a gut check to be sure it feels sane and sustainable. And if a structured plan isn’t right for you, focus on committing to a few changes you know you can stick with, like trading fast food for quick homemade meals, ditching diet products, or consistently making simple swaps, like eating spaghetti squash instead of spaghetti.
Health.com: 16 ways to lose weight fast
Not losing weight fast enough
I know that seeing quick results is key for staying motivated, and feeling confident and inspired to stay on track, but it’s important to put numbers in perspective.
If you don’t hit a double digit loss within a week, don’t assume that your approach isn’t working. Shedding just a single pound of body fat is like melting 16 ounces of shortening (one of those short, round tubs) off of your frame, which can make a huge difference in how you feel and how your clothes fit. On the flip side, losing water weight, which is far easier and faster, does nothing to change your body composition, and you can regain it all within a matter of hours.
So rather than getting hung up on numbers, focus on how you feel, whether your jeans fit looser, and how your body is changing, like clearer skin, less facial puffiness, etc.
And if you really aren’t seeing results, it may be time to get honest about your habits — check out my previous post “5 little white lies you tell yourself that derail weight loss” on Health.com.
(Definitely true – but your diet better have “staying power” which to means, an approach that can scientifically be explained, so that you can understand why it would work)
Bloating
One of the side effects of adopting a cleaner, healthier eating plan you may not expect is an increase in bloating. Upping your intake of fruits, veggies, whole grains, beans, lentils, and nuts, can mean a considerable increase in your daily fiber intake.
Because fiber doesn’t get broken down and absorbed from your GI tract into your blood stream, it has to work its way through your system, which can take a few days. Eating fiber is also kind of like strength training to your digestive tract, because your GI muscles have to contract to push the fiber through, to be eliminated. Continuing to eat this way consistently, and drinking plenty of water, helps to lessen the effects, but your belly may balk initially.
(The author kind of misses the mark here. Bloating from an intestinal side due to gaseous development, is going to cause a mild increase in abdominal distention, whereas true bloating from inflammation, molecules that cause a systemic inflammatory response, will cause major bloating everywhere. Funny, the one molecule that really does this well in her list, would come from grain. Gluten.)
Health.com: Best superfoods for weight loss
Just remember that bloating has nothing to do with your weight or body composition. In other words, trading a muffin or scone for oatmeal topped with fresh fruit and nuts may make your belly a bit rounder after breakfast, but if you’re losing body fat and upgrading your nutrition game, it’s worth a little temporary expansion – and in time, your body will adjust.
Lack of support
This is probably the top barrier my clients face when trying to stick with a new lifestyle approach.
Often significant others, friends, family members, and coworkers sanction skipping the gym, offer tempting treats, or suggest social activities that revolve around unhealthy patterns, like pizza and Redbox, or going out to dinner.
“I feel like everyone is out to sabotage me!” is a phrase I hear a lot. If you find yourself in the same boat, seek out support where you can.
Recruit another health conscious coworker to eat lunch with, connect with like-minded friends via email, text, or online, and celebrate your own successes by giving yourself regular pats on the back or healthy rewards for getting through challenging situations. Even something small, like a song download, new app, a 10-minute chair massage, or a single fresh flower for your desk can help you stay in an empowered frame of mind that makes it easier to cope when you lack support from others.
And if you need to have a heart-to-heart with the people closest to you (to ask for help, or at the very least to not be hindered), check out my previous post “DOs and DON’Ts for dealing with food pushers” on Health.com.
(Good ideas here – just be aware that life change requires support. I hate the idea of a diet, but adopting it into your lifestyle is key. People become barriers. My mother has been with us for a week now, and she is hard core 60 Day Turnaround Diet… she hasn’t failed, because even though we are not on the diet, everything about our home: pantry, refrigerator, mentality… supports the hard core version.)
Slipping up on difficult days
Regardless of how great you feel after revamping your eating habits and regularly hitting the gym, there are going to be days when you’ll want to give up.
The truth is it does take more time, energy, and awareness to live healthfully. So after a stressful day, when you’re already tired and you still have to cook dinner, you may feel like throwing in the towel. Plus, we’re practically programmed from birth to turn to food as a way to soothe, escape, reward, and comfort ourselves – so when you’re mad at your boss or boyfriend, foregoing a healthy home-cooked meal and ordering a pizza instead kind of go hand in hand.
(We call this living intentionally. Decisions are decisions, not random acts. You were made to live this way, and you can!)
Health.com: 10 ways your personality affects your weight
… read the rest at : http://www.cnn.com/2014/01/17/health/why-new-diets-fail/index.html?hpt=he_c2
OR –
This article originally appeared on Health.com