Most people, when the New Year is upon them, make a resolution to start a diet and lose weight. But, very few, after a month, stick to that resolution. Why do people inevitably fail to meet their weight loss goals and, if they do meet their goals, why do they end up gaining the weight back?
It’s because they see the weight loss journey as a temporary diet, and not as a lifestyle change.
In order to have any sustainable health change, you need to stop thinking of your journey as a diet and see it for what it really should be – a positive lifestyle change.
What Are The Benefits Of Creating Sustainable Habits?
There are a plethora of benefits associated with creating sustainable habits over just plain old dieting. These benefits include but are certainly not limited to:
- Decrease stress and anxiety
- Boost happiness
- Improve your self-confidence
- Stay strong mentally
- Boost the strength of your brain cells
- Boost your creativity
- Control your addiction
How Can You Create Sustainable Habits
Believe it or not, your “diet” does not have to be a lifetime of bland food and starvation. It can be filled with good, healthy and delicious food. The reason most people fail with their eating habits is that they’re too restrictive. They eliminate certain foods groups – fat, carbs or even sugar. You may only allow yourself to eat certain kinds of foods.
You can reach your goal weight like this, but it’s not a sustainable one.
Avoid Fads and Fad Diets
Don’t go with fad diets or ‘magic pill’ gimmicks. Yes, these may help you to lose weight in the short term, but it won’t last. Instead, change your eating habits to maintain a healthy lifestyle. You won’t lose weight as quickly, but you will be able to maintain a healthy weight for a lifetime.
Don’t Focus On Weight, Focus On What Your Body Does
It’s normal for weight to fluctuate – one week you may gain a pound, the next week you may lose it. There are all kinds of reasons it happens – bowel movements, water retention, dietary intake of salt, etc. The best thing to do is avoid focusing on the scale numbers and focus on how you feel. How much more stamina do you have; can you finish tasks without feeling winded? Are you more agile; can you lift heavier things without assistance or feeling weak? Do your clothes fit better or are they loose? How you feel is a better than any number on a scale. And, keep in mind, if you notice you gain a couple of pounds in one week, but you’ve been exercising, it could be that the weight is from muscle, which weighs more than fat does.
Talk To A Nutrition Coach
A nutrition coach will help you to create goals that are both healthy and sustainable. They’ll ask questions of you to get a feel for what you’re looking for. From the information you provide, they’ll give you some advice and praise when you adjust to those new habits. They’ll make sure to constantly monitor to you and help you to overcome challenges they face along the way.
A diet only lasts for so long, but healthy habits will last a lifetime. And, if you’re tired of the weight yo-yo, you need to create sustainable habits and avoid bad ones to attain and keep those goals.
Rising Phoenix Nutrition and Fitness, LLC 