Make A Resolution To NOT Diet.

Since diets don’t work (They don’t. YOU know it and I know it), how about a resolution to NOT diet and, instead, change the way we live?

I’m a supporter of plans like Weight Watchers, Jenny Craig, and Nutrisystems because they promote healthy eating and exercising, not starvation, laxatives, and gimmicks. Most importantly, they teach the importance of changing the way we live, getting off the couch, and taking care of our bodies with heart healthy eating and mobilization.

Make no mistake. I’m no stick. Weight loss is a constant battle for me. I’ve dealt with steroid weight gain, baby weight gain, writer’s weight gain, menopause weight gain, depression weight gain, over forty weight gain — you name it, I can gain it. But I know, too, that the only long term solution is exercise and eating for a healthy life.

It’s no fun getting up early and going to the gym and honestly, I gagged the first time I ate cottage cheese. But I learned from Body-for-Life the value of eating a protein and a carb in the morning. My Special K with green tea just wasn’t giving me the energy I needed to get through the day. Nor was I dropping the pounds.

There’s a boring over-used saying - “Eat to live. Don’t live to eat.” I’m sick of it and cringe when I hear it but the simple truth is that so many of still need to hear it that it’s got to be said. For some of us, all that’s needed for weight loss is a reduction in junk food and sodas and an increase in recreational activities. For others, it’s not so simple.

There’s a weight loss plan out there that will work but –

1. Check with you doctor before you start one and make sure it’s not an unhealthy gimmick.
2. Be very careful what weight loss program you choose. The Atkins diet had very unhealthy side effects for me and the Kimkins diet seems scary.
3. Set realistic expectations for yourself. Don’t be misled by those “went from a size 22 to a size 10 in three months” ads.
4. Reward yourself now and then. Give yourself a cheat day whether it’s once per week or once per month. If you don’t, you’ll teach your body that healthy eating is a punishment and you’re more likely to become discouraged.
5. Use caution when beginning an exercise program. Don’t do too much too fast. Gradually increase your resistance training and cardio workouts so not to put too much stress to quickly on joints and bones that have been taking it easy.
6. Drink plenty of water. Your body needs it and it helps flush toxins out of your system.

Food is not recreation. Recreation, however, is good for the heart and promotes weight loss even without a major change in eating habits. Be smart. Be persistent. But don’t “diet”. Get rid of some unhealthy habits and throw in some exercise. Then see what happens.

Tag: weight watchers