My Fleep:
Health
Health
Three Things Dieters Do that Guarantee Failure
Losing even a few pounds is not simple but most people fail
before they even begin. What happens is, they go on a
diet, lose some weight, go off the diet, gain weight, get
depressed and have to start all over again.
Your chances of achieving long-term good health are greatly
increased if you avoid these three common pitfalls:
1. Dieters look for shortcuts and quick fixes.
The multi-billion dollar weight-loss industry preys on
desperation. They give us exactly what we seek in the form
of "fat blasting" pills and potions, miracle exercise
gadgets and secret diets. Be tempted but don't be
fooled. Even if some guru's diet plan could get super-fast
results, how long will you be able you eat that way? Have
you considered what happens when eventually, you go off the
diet? Can you pop those pills forever? What is your "Plan
B"?
The concept of dieting and all it entails is terribly
negative and actually undermines your motivation to get
lean and strong. Here is what happens with the typical
diet:
You don't enjoy eating satisfaction and are tempted to
binge. You suffer more stress instead of learning to reduce
stress. A lowered metabolism makes it even harder to lose
weight. When your weight loss "plateaus" you won't know
what to do. It's easy to become disillusioned and depressed
and give up. Someday you will have to get off the diet.
Then what?
The only "diet" that works for a lifetime is a "non-diet"
which teaches you how to choose wisely from a wide variety
of nutrient rich foods and also allows for those special
treats you love. This method may be slow and steady but it
will get the job done and the results are more likely to be
permanent.
2. Dieters obsess about the details of the diet.
Have you tried the South Sea Seaweed Diet? How about the
Low-Carb Fudge Diet? Try the "If I don't eat anything
else, I'll have enough points saved up for this Frappuccino
Grande diet." Doesn't calcium promote weight loss?
Total reliance on "the diet" is a misguided approach
because it fails to recognize a bigger problem. Overweight
is not the fundamental issue. It is just one symptom of an
underlying condition of habits, behaviors and poor
attitudes toward living that contribute to a whole array of
health problems.
It is virtually impossible to stick with a diet when there
are other factors present that contribute to unhealthy
lifestyle behaviors. This means you must consider the big
picture. You have to recognize the underlying causes in
order to alleviate the symptom.
Answer these questions:
Do I often eat for reasons other than hunger? Are there
certain foods that "I just can't live without"? Am I a
physically active person? Am I basically content with my
life? What else is going on that causes me stress? Am I in
control of my daily schedule? Am I open to personal changes
and new ideas?
You can get assistance in designing a reasonable nutrition
plan that allows flexibility and eating enjoyment. But,
successfully adopting a new lifestyle for the long haul
means you must address all that "stuff" in life that makes
it so difficult to stay focused and motivated.
This doesn't necessarily mean that you have to "fix" all
your problems today. Recognizing your situation and
committing to make improvements is an act that empowers,
and is the first step to long-term success.
3. Dieters begin with no clear plan of action.
We often take more time planning our vacations than we do
our lives. So, to simply go on a diet is a common "plan of
attack". We do this with no written goals, no means of
evaluating progress, no support and no advance strategies
for dealing with obstacles and setbacks.
Determination is a good beginning but it quickly
disintegrates without the structure of a sound plan.
Changing your lifestyle is serious business and takes some
focused effort. You are not going to survive by just
"winging it", making up diet rules as you go along.
Give this task the same time and planning that you would an
important project at work. Begin by creating a journal and
put all of your plans in writing and record your progress
on a daily basis.
Set specific goals and write them down Create a plan and a
timetable and put it in writing. Identify your strengths
and weaknesses. Identify stressors. Make plans to deal
with them. Recruit allies as a support system. Simplify
your life; manage and schedule your time. Set up a system
to measure results. Plan to reward your success. Know how
to deal with that difficult "post diet" period.
Knowledge and planning is power. Now that you are aware of
what you need to do, take it slowly. Make a plan. Get
some support. Exercise patience and persistence. In time
you will be one of the few who did it!
----------------------------------------------------
Howard McGarity is a “Human Performance Specialist” and
Certified Personal Trainer who has studied biology,
nutrition and exercise science for most of his fifty-six
years. He founded MyVirtualGym.com as an effective way to
help busy people deal with life and get lean, strong and
healthy. For more ideas => http://www.MyVirtualGym.com
Losing even a few pounds is not simple but most people fail
before they even begin. What happens is, they go on a
diet, lose some weight, go off the diet, gain weight, get
depressed and have to start all over again.
Your chances of achieving long-term good health are greatly
increased if you avoid these three common pitfalls:
1. Dieters look for shortcuts and quick fixes.
The multi-billion dollar weight-loss industry preys on
desperation. They give us exactly what we seek in the form
of "fat blasting" pills and potions, miracle exercise
gadgets and secret diets. Be tempted but don't be
fooled. Even if some guru's diet plan could get super-fast
results, how long will you be able you eat that way? Have
you considered what happens when eventually, you go off the
diet? Can you pop those pills forever? What is your "Plan
B"?
The concept of dieting and all it entails is terribly
negative and actually undermines your motivation to get
lean and strong. Here is what happens with the typical
diet:
You don't enjoy eating satisfaction and are tempted to
binge. You suffer more stress instead of learning to reduce
stress. A lowered metabolism makes it even harder to lose
weight. When your weight loss "plateaus" you won't know
what to do. It's easy to become disillusioned and depressed
and give up. Someday you will have to get off the diet.
Then what?
The only "diet" that works for a lifetime is a "non-diet"
which teaches you how to choose wisely from a wide variety
of nutrient rich foods and also allows for those special
treats you love. This method may be slow and steady but it
will get the job done and the results are more likely to be
permanent.
2. Dieters obsess about the details of the diet.
Have you tried the South Sea Seaweed Diet? How about the
Low-Carb Fudge Diet? Try the "If I don't eat anything
else, I'll have enough points saved up for this Frappuccino
Grande diet." Doesn't calcium promote weight loss?
Total reliance on "the diet" is a misguided approach
because it fails to recognize a bigger problem. Overweight
is not the fundamental issue. It is just one symptom of an
underlying condition of habits, behaviors and poor
attitudes toward living that contribute to a whole array of
health problems.
It is virtually impossible to stick with a diet when there
are other factors present that contribute to unhealthy
lifestyle behaviors. This means you must consider the big
picture. You have to recognize the underlying causes in
order to alleviate the symptom.
Answer these questions:
Do I often eat for reasons other than hunger? Are there
certain foods that "I just can't live without"? Am I a
physically active person? Am I basically content with my
life? What else is going on that causes me stress? Am I in
control of my daily schedule? Am I open to personal changes
and new ideas?
You can get assistance in designing a reasonable nutrition
plan that allows flexibility and eating enjoyment. But,
successfully adopting a new lifestyle for the long haul
means you must address all that "stuff" in life that makes
it so difficult to stay focused and motivated.
This doesn't necessarily mean that you have to "fix" all
your problems today. Recognizing your situation and
committing to make improvements is an act that empowers,
and is the first step to long-term success.
3. Dieters begin with no clear plan of action.
We often take more time planning our vacations than we do
our lives. So, to simply go on a diet is a common "plan of
attack". We do this with no written goals, no means of
evaluating progress, no support and no advance strategies
for dealing with obstacles and setbacks.
Determination is a good beginning but it quickly
disintegrates without the structure of a sound plan.
Changing your lifestyle is serious business and takes some
focused effort. You are not going to survive by just
"winging it", making up diet rules as you go along.
Give this task the same time and planning that you would an
important project at work. Begin by creating a journal and
put all of your plans in writing and record your progress
on a daily basis.
Set specific goals and write them down Create a plan and a
timetable and put it in writing. Identify your strengths
and weaknesses. Identify stressors. Make plans to deal
with them. Recruit allies as a support system. Simplify
your life; manage and schedule your time. Set up a system
to measure results. Plan to reward your success. Know how
to deal with that difficult "post diet" period.
Knowledge and planning is power. Now that you are aware of
what you need to do, take it slowly. Make a plan. Get
some support. Exercise patience and persistence. In time
you will be one of the few who did it!
----------------------------------------------------
Howard McGarity is a “Human Performance Specialist” and
Certified Personal Trainer who has studied biology,
nutrition and exercise science for most of his fifty-six
years. He founded MyVirtualGym.com as an effective way to
help busy people deal with life and get lean, strong and
healthy. For more ideas => http://www.MyVirtualGym.com