Consider this, if diets really worked we would all be thin. Studies show that 95% of the people who go on a diet gain all the weight back plus more. This is the yo-yo effect of dieting.
There are a lot of myths and misunderstandings about the best way to burn body fat and look great in your “skinny jeans”. The bottom line is that it is your daily habits that create your body, not just a temporary diet that you don’t stick with or a workout program that you do every other week if you have time. It’s not just one thing you are participating in that is making you unfit, it’s many.
If you go on a diet that will be impossible to stay on the rest of your life or start another exercise plan that you give yourself permission to stop when you get bored or busy, then you should expect your body to return to its present state.
If you change what you do and what you eat every day, this is called a lifestyle change. You might be weight challenged because you sit a desk for eight hours. If so, you will have to come up with some creative ways to get in some movement during the day. It might also be that you skip too many meals which in turn will promote fat storage. The list is endless, but the reality is that if you are more that five to ten pounds overweight, this is an indication that a lifestyle overhaul may be due.
I suggest you start by making of a list of what you think is making you unfit. Second, investigate solutions to the problems. And third, make a plan to incorporate your solutions into your daily habits. If you take the time to evaluate what the real problems are, then long term weight loss will be the end result.
If you have any suggestions on habits that have gotten you in trouble in the past and have come up with a solutions to lack of time, motivation, mindset, and stress barriers, I would love to hear your ideas!
Hi Carolyn,
Nice blog
One of my biggest problems is portion control. I find that I’m always going back for seconds if they’re available, regardless of how full I am. Although it’s not always easy to do, making a conscious decision to stick to one plate of food has helped reduce my calorie intake without a specific diet in place.
In addition to reducing my calories, it has the added benefit of easy meals the next day with my leftovers!
Nick
Hi Nick,
You have hit the nail on the head….it’s all about being in the moment and becoming conscious of that fact that you are not hungry and that you are most likely eating out of habit.
The benfits are not only reducing calories and having left over meals, you also save lots of money! I bet you would be surprised how much money you save by having one meal equal two!
Carolyn
I’ve been hearing lately that one way to manage your portions is to eat off of a smaller plate – we’re ingrained to think we need to “finish our plate” – so, instead of trying to change that habit, eating all of the food on a smaller plate could be the trick.
Carolyn, I like your point about diets being a short-term thing, and not anything that’s meant to sustain us forever – I don’t usually hear it put that way, and it puts things into perspective. I, too, didn’t start seeing results until creating a lifestyle change – classes at Fit Behavior that keep me accountable, portion control and smart food choices, especially when snacking.
Hi Christa,
I like the idea of a smaller plate. I use that one myself. You will definitely eat less and again- save money! Thanks for your idea.
Carolyn