Being “on a diet” is very different from “having a diet plan.”
One implies something temporary that’s based on deprivation, while the other is a long-term habit. Only one of these choices is headed for success.
Let’s compare these two approaches to eating so you can make an educated decision if you’re one of the millions of people who enters “weight loss” into the search bar.
|
On A Diet |
A Diet Plan |
|
Negative |
Positive |
|
Punishment |
Nourishment |
|
Temporary |
Permanent |
|
Unsustainable over time |
Sustainable |
|
Foods are considered good or bad |
Food is not an adjective, nor does it have a personality |
|
Food is to be rejected |
Food is to be embraced |
|
Coupled with anxiety & depression |
Coupled with self-efficacy |
|
The food has all the control |
You have the control |
|
Ignores & overrides the body’s hunger signals |
Based on the body’s hunger signals |
|
You wouldn’t make a child do it |
Would be healthy plan for child |
|
You can’t be trusted to do the right thing |
The choices are yours |
|
Usually motivated by aesthetic reasons |
Usually motivated by desire for health |
|
Feel hungry most of the time |
Feel satiated most of the time |
Did you figure out that the left hand column should be left to actors and actresses who want to lose a lot of weight quickly for a movie shoot? Even then, it’s a bad health choice.
How many people do you know who went on a diet, then remained slim and fit? If you have, chances are you met someone with good weight loss maintenance skills - in other words, then had a diet plan and weren't on a diet. Anyone who is truly “successful” on a diet long-term would weigh zero, right?
Here's our advice for 2013: rather than think of what you believe you must give up (deprivation mentality), make a list of the foods you love and foods you know are healthy that you’d eat.
Eat them.
Then just pay attention to the amount you’re eating of both the junkie and healthful foods.
That’s it. Just pay attention.
No self-judging, no recriminations, no restrictions - just increase your awareness. Keep a food journal and watch what happens. Food journal - helpful. Scale - not helpful.
One last tip - The scale was originally invented for butchers to use. Keep that in mind if you tend to rely on it for your self-worth.
We wish you great success with your diet plan for 2013!