What To Do Instead Of Dieting – New year, new you. That’s what society is telling us now, and it’s not fun to hear. Go sugar-free (or not?). Go keto (I love carbs, thank you). Try the full 30. Go to the gym. The diet world is a $60 billion industry and still growing. Why do you think this is so? If diets worked, they would be out of business.
Is there anything that works to improve your overall health and well-being? Listen to your body and practice intuitive eating.
What To Do Instead Of Dieting
The idea of not dieting scares many. For some, this is the only tool they know that can help them lose weight (only temporarily). Hitting “diet rock bottom” is the feeling you get when you can’t switch to another diet. I had this feeling at the end of my wedding and regained some of the weight I had lost. I felt pressured to lose weight again, but I couldn’t bear to keep my calories down for another day. Going on a diet doesn’t mean you’re “out of control.” When you practice Intuitive Eating, you will rely on your internal cues rather than your external cues (i.e. the principles of your diet).
When It Comes To Dieting, This Is The Most Toxic Belief — Eat This Not That
Measuring yourself usually means judging yourself. This judgment can affect how you feel in every area of your life. I remember when I was dieting, if I lost weight, I would eat a little more ice cream or force myself to work out more. If I gained weight, I would treat myself to a pity party with even more ice cream or limit myself to “grabbing”.
The scale is not the best judge of health anyway. This gives you a number, not the whole picture. If you want to take better care of your health, see your doctor and get a physical exam. You can even opt out of weighing yourself at the doctor’s office. Most will agree or at least agree not to show or give the number. Some conditions really require weight, such as surgery or diabetes.
Your weight fluctuates every day anyway—your normal body weight is between 10 and 20 pounds. This includes your hormone water weight, your hydration status, and even if you pooped that day. Pay attention to how your body feels – energy levels, digestion, etc.
There is nothing worse than underwear that is too tight. Or pants. Or something very tight. Don’t force yourself to wear clothes that don’t fit your figure. Likewise, don’t stick with smaller clothes that you want to fit into “one day.” You’ll be surprised how much better your body feels when you don’t feel restricted.
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The only cleanse I recommend is a social media cleanse. Our feeds are full of news about diets. Stop following anyone who makes you feel bad about yourself, compares yourself to, or posts pictures of unrealistic lifestyles (those who only want to drink green juice for breakfast every day…).
Surround yourself with a non-diet bubble. Follow people who inspire you to love yourself and leave your diet culture behind. Here are my favorite non-diet bloggers and Instagrammers:
Mindfulness focuses your attention on the present moment. This can be very helpful when you are making intuitive food choices. Mindfulness can help you identify how you really feel right now—are you hungry or full? Sad or happy? Do you need to take care of yourself? Our brains are designed to constantly worry about the future and think about the past. All we really have is this moment.
I realize that happiness depends not on external circumstances, but on my mental attitude, and that I can live happily in the present moment by remembering that I already have enough conditions to be happy. Learn to meditate
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Meditation is a scary word. The first thing people think of when they say “meditate” is sitting cross-legged on the floor and saying, “Ohhmm.” They also fear the concept of not thinking about anything. “
?!”. But it’s a lot different than you might imagine. Meditation can relieve stress and anxiety, improve concentration, help you sleep better, and more. Learn how to start a meditation practice and make it a habit.
Sometimes just writing down your anxious thoughts can help you get rid of them. Find yourself a nice hardcover journal, a favorite pen, and start writing.
If writing on blank pages scares you, try a journal with prompts already added. Some of my favorites are: The Project 52 List
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Many New Year’s resolutions or diets encourage you to cut out something. It’s time to eat more, not less. I challenge you to include foods that previously seemed “out of reach” or “bad”. Think about what foods you limit and then overeat because you’re depriving yourself of them! Having a neutral attitude toward food (there is no good or bad food) can really help if you overeat or overeat certain foods. Try incorporating different fruits and vegetables that you’ve never tried before and cooking them in different ways. Experience. The time has come!
Europeans take time to enjoy their food – workplaces close at lunchtime and food is savored and appreciated. Many Americans eat lunch and don’t take the time to slow down and pay attention. Take the time to appreciate your food to get the most satisfaction out of it. Sit down. Before that, take a few deep breaths. Eat slowly and savor every morsel.
Create an intimate dining environment. If you have time, cover the table with beautiful mats and enjoy beautiful dishes. If your budget allows, buy fresh flowers every week. Turn off the TV, put down your cell phone and turn on some cool music. Enjoy chatting with your tablemates!
Meal planning is one of the best self-care practices you can do in your life. It makes a huge difference when it comes to food choices. Yes, you can eat intuitively and plan your meals. Think about what foods will sound good and taste good this week—all while thinking about how they’ll make your body feel. Is it cold outside? Chicken soup in batter can be a bull’s eye. Craving something sunny and warm and cold and crunchy? A caprese salad might be a better option. Planning the week ahead ensures you have meals on hand, which means you’ll eat more at home and save money.
Things To Do Instead Of Dieting — Food, Pleasure & Health
After planning your meals, head to the grocery store. Buy groceries once throughout the week so you don’t have to go back. I love Kroger Click List and Shipt – both allow me to place my grocery orders online and spend my time doing other things while someone else does the shopping for me. I used this time to clean the apartment (so I don’t have to shop and clean on the same day).
It’s true that sometimes your coping mechanism is to eat a pint of ice cream or a muffin. But if eating is your only coping mechanism, you may want to find other ways to take care of yourself. First, make sure your basic needs are met: relaxation, sensory pleasure, expression, being heard, intellectually and creatively stimulated, warmth and comfort.
One form of self-care is meeting basic needs. This means that sometimes your self-care means sleeping. Other self-care ideas include massages, meditation, bubble baths, going to yoga, playing with the dog, and showing off fresh flowers.
If you’re feeling stuck and struggling to find exercise you enjoy, I recommend taking a break from exercise for a few weeks or as long as needed. Notice how your body feels when it’s not moving. Are you feeling tired, sluggish and lethargic? You think you want to get up and move and just do it
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? At the end of your exercise break, make a list of any activities you enjoy. Maybe yoga, pilates or walking. Maybe it’s something more strenuous, like running or lifting weights. What do you find fun and enjoyable? You’ll soon be on your way to fitness freedom.
To go for a walk. Fill your home with potted plants to bring in fresh greenery. Plant herbs and use them in food. If you’re lucky enough to have a backyard, plant a small garden this year. Plan regular trips to your favorite nature spots—whether it’s a local park or lake, or an hour or two out in the country. Being in nature helps us stay in the moment and take a break from our technology-driven lives.
Start or end each day by mentally evaluating an aspect of your life that you are grateful for. I know that sometimes it can be very difficult to record just one thing. But there’s always something to be thankful for in your life, if you’re just living today, that’s something to be thankful for.
Hello! I’m Emily, a registered dietitian and intuitive self-taught cook. AND
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