When people come to the realization that they have become out of shape the first thing that comes to mind is, DIET. Many men may gravitate to just working out in general and women think it is in what they eat. Obviously both are right, but we are doing to talk about the latter. Diets fail miserably almost 99% of the time. Anyone who has gone on a diet stick with it for 1-2 days and start to wane by the 3rd. Of course there are the few that last a week or two but we all know that is rare. Diets fail, not because of lack of willpower, they fail because they are not our lifestyle. It is very hard to just get up from a place you have lived all your life and move right? Dieting is not different and there are ways to make a lifestyle.
Don’t Diet
For the average Joe, dieting is something you have to do when it is “that time.” Many will go out and load their shelves with healthy food and they cut out everything they are used to eating immediately. The transition seems to be easy and the physical effort to purchase and stock is generally pretty simple. However, now comes the hard part, eating all that food you just bought and knowing how to eat it. Some will read books and will follow those Fad diets religiously for a month. They will see great improvement and eventually will plan to get off the diet and find themselves right back where they started.
FAD diets are just that, fads. They will come and go and no matter how much proof there is the diet works, it is still a fad. Eventually it will wear off. Are you seriously going to never eat carbs again or just eat veggies, or just eat the frozen dinners because the name of diet is on them forever? NO. Eventually you will become human and eat what humans eat, food that tastes good and foods of all different varieties. Fad diets are meant to fail, diets in general will not last.
Ease into the Lifestyle
Cutting out something completely is a quick way to fail. If you eat hamburger twice a day and then shut that down right away would not be a smart decision, it may be a good decision but not a lasting one. Instead, eat one a day, three times a week and two on the other days. On week 2 you add another single day and so forth. This lifestyle will take a lot of time to work. Moreover it will work!
Change the way you eat but do not diet. Start by identifying your weakness and try to overcome that weakness. Beer, Pizza, pasta, whatever your craving is, be aware and begin to curve the craving, eat half of what you normally would. Don’t fully resist but instead of 3 pieces, eat 2 and then gradually adjust from there. Gradually decreasing is not just over a weeks span but maybe over 2-3 weeks. If you try to implement your lifestyle too quick, it will fail.
Tip: As soon as you get the craving for another drink a glass of water.
Drink Zero Calorie Beverages
Some people just do not like water, if that is the case find a good alternative, like zero calorie beverages. Crystal Light is one of my favorites. They have little to-go packs with just 5 calories that are excellent! Diet beverages are okay too. Sparkling mineral water is another alternative if you are trying to kick your soda pop habit. I never thought mineral water would help with my addiction to soda pop but sure enough it works just fine! These beverage have no nutritional value and are much better than picking up that coke or fruit drink.
Tip: Drink a full glass of water right when you wake up and especially if you are struggling to get up! Also, drink one glass before you eat your meals. By doing this you will help curb your appetite by tricking yourself.
Shopping Smart
Before you go grocery shopping make a list of must-haves. Go ahead and do not purchase some of the things your are going to give up. Trying to kick your Oreo habit? Do not buy them. What you don’t have, you can’t eat. Likewise it will seem foolish when you just want to run to the store just to get Oreos because you got a craving.
Tip: Go after you just ate and are miserably full. Hit the buffet before the shopping escapade begin.
More than a Lifestyle
Deciding to get on a diet is not a good decision, making a decision to change your lifestyle is a better term. Because that is what we all want to do. Many of us share the same common goal, look better and feel better. With a few simple steps we can attain our goals.
After you have made the choice to change you, the time is now to begin. Understand that you have made a decision to totally alter the rest of your life. you have made the decision to be there for your family and friends for much more time to come, you have made the decision to be a part in your kids’ life, not just a figure. This lifestyle is easy and so beneficial for you and the ones you care about.
It’s not about willpower to say no, it’s about your life.
