Why dieting all the time is not good. And what can I do instead.
Instead of falling into the cycle of perpetual dieting, a more effective and sustainable approach to weight management involves embracing a balanced lifestyle. A balanced lifestyle is going through all the different areas of your life (and health) and looking at things that not only include nutrition and the food on your plate.
In the health coaching practice we call these other areas “Secondary foods”. All those things that you are “feeding yourself with” or “nurturing your body with” that are not the food on your plate. Together we can establish and design a new way and a new approach to balance those areas and bring focus to where it’s needed.
Some of the hacks and tips that are important when it comes to embracing a balanced lifestyle include:
- Mindful Eating:
- Focus on mindful eating, paying attention to hunger and fullness cues.
- Enjoy a variety of foods in moderation, emphasizing nutrient-dense options.
- Regular Physical Activity:
- Incorporate regular exercise into your routine for overall well-being and weight maintenance.
- Include a mix of cardiovascular exercises, strength training, and flexibility exercises.
- Realistic and Sustainable Changes:
- Make gradual, realistic changes to your eating habits that can be maintained over the long term.
- Avoid extreme diets and fads that promise rapid results but are difficult to sustain.
- Professional Guidance:
- Consult with healthcare professionals, such as health coaches, dietitians or nutritionists, for personalized advice based on your individual needs and health goals.
Constant dieting may seem like a shortcut to weight loss, but it often leads to negative consequences for both the body and the mind. We all tend to start diets on a Monday, and drop them by Wednesday or Friday in the best case scenario. The constant starting and not finishing a diet, and feeling like you have not accomplished something after all that effort, creates frustration. Frustration leads to more frustration, and then a negative cycle of “I can’t do this” “I am not good at it” begins. As we know, this constant repetition has an effect on our bodies as every cell in your body is listening. Therefore the mindset and negative thoughts end up being “heavier” and we don’t move from where we started.
Embracing a balanced lifestyle, focusing on mindful eating, and incorporating regular physical activity are key components of a sustainable approach to weight management. By fostering a positive relationship with food and making gradual, realistic changes, individuals can achieve lasting results without compromising their overall well-being. As an experienced coach, this is the approach that I will bring up during our program, making sure we go from a mindset of negativity and frustration to one of positivity and inclusion, from feeling stuck, to moving forward, from dieting to focusing on balance.
I am ready for you! So jump in, we got this!
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Sol
Your health coach
Certified International Wellness Coach
Integrative Nutrition Health Coach
Accredited HCANZA-AC
Certified Yoga Teacher
@solpinedawellness
Ph: +64 27 274 8562