Diets - Positive Programs or Humbug Hype? (Part 1)
The topic of dieting is discussed endlessly on TV, and in magazines and books. Almost everywhere we turn someone is talking about the latest diet, or how we can achieve a longer, healthier and happier life. As a result, the myths abound on this subject.
Dieting has become so popular over the last number of years, and it’s estimated that over 70 percent of the adult female population, and 30 percent of the male population have been on a diet at some stage in their lifetime. These diets range from the Atkins, Weight Watchers, and the GI diet, to the Blood Group diet and the F Plan, to name but a few.
Some diets have become increasingly popular due to their celebrity following. However, I can’t help but think that if they didn’t have their Personal Trainers on hand, would they really have achieved such phenomenal success? I’m not sure.
Unfortunately, with many diet plans the results are usually the same, and although many dieters achieve some weight loss success in the short term, few are able to maintain this weight loss longer term. It is sadly often the case that many will end up weighing more than when they began.
I really believe the problem that many dieters have is that they are looking for a quick fix. Therefore the thinking is wrong before they even begin to lose weight. However, there are many steps we can take, which will help us on our weight loss journey. But more on that in the future days!
So Why Don’t Diets Work?
1) They don’t teach good habits
People who try to live by the lists and rules of a diet plan learn nothing, or at least very little, about proper nutrition. The basis of putting a healthy eating plan into action is knowledge! What do I mean by that? Well, we ought to know why we should do something, and how to do it; otherwise we won’t learn the necessary skills to maintain this new behaviour. What’s the use of knowing the exact number of points contained within a particular food, if you don’t know how to control the portion size of your meals?
A healthy eating plan should teach us what a balanced diet is, including low fat shopping tips, how to read labels, healthy cooking techniques and portion control. However, most plans rarely teach these basic principles, never mind how to exercise or deal with our food cravings. The result? We find it impossible to stick with the program, and often lack the needed energy to carry out basic duties, as our food intake is so restrictive. Long term, our willpower and commitment flags, and we fail to make significant behavioural changes.
2) We are not in control
The attitudes and practices acquired through years of dieting can often result in body weight and size obsession, low self-esteem and poor nutrition. I really do feel that diets have the potential to control us rather than ourselves being in control. I believe that no one can realistically live in this “diet mode” for the rest of their life, depriving themselves of the true pleasures of life itself!
Still to come Part 2.
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