sxc.hu: lusi
What is it that holds you back from making real progress with weight loss long-term?
For many people (I think) one problem is the crazy misconception eating for weight loss requires munching down rabbit food 24/7.
In other words eating bland, boring, tasteless food.
Soggy lettuce leaf anyone??? How miserable!
But, why is it we’ve become so confused about how to successfully lose weight?
Is it because, we view the emaciated waifs gracing our catwalks, who live on cigarettes and booze, as the norm?
Perhaps it’s the glossy mags we pour over, who constantly bombard us with one diet plan after another?
Or, is it the fault of health professionals like myself? Perhaps we’re simply adding to this confusing mix in our attempt to put things right!
What do you think has led to so much confusion about how to lose weight?
One things for sure, I certainly don’t survive on rabbit food, nor am I ever likely to. I love my food too much, and deprivation is simply not an option for me!
So, here’s my thoughts on how to maintain a healthy weight…
1. Be prepared
There’s only one way to make sure your food doesn’t taste like rabbit food–put the time in!
This isn’t a difficult step, but planning and prepping healthier dishes does take time.
The question is, are you prepared to put that extra time in? Rest assured the results are worth it!
2. Be adventurous
Food shouldn’t be boring: period!
So, even if you’re watching your calorie intake, it’s okay to enjoy what you eat. Healthy food can and should be tasty too.
Perhaps it’s time to dust of your delia people and get experimenting with healthy ideas. Try reading recipe books and websites to inspire different and exciting meals.
Need some more inspiration? Check these out…
3. Be flexible
“Diets” tend to be so inflexible. My advice is don’t cut your calories too much (reduce by around 500 kcals), and definitely don’t cut out whole food groups–these are recipes for failure.
Instead, be flexible and allow treats now and again. This will help you to manage your cravings.
Remember, food doesn’t have to be the enemy…
I understand this article is merely scratching the surface on how to lose weight, so I’m wondering what you as a reader would advise…
What tips do you have for people struggling to gain control of their weight?
To transform the lifestyles of a diet-obsessed world by teaching people how to eat healthy and make healthy eating a habit for life.
{ 8 comments… read them below or add one }
“Don’t even try to lose weight until you are fully committed to it.”
-Steve
Steve Parker, M.D.´s last blog ..Mediterranean Diet Linked to Lower Stomach Cancer Risk
your question: what has led to this diet confusion. I believe is the hype surrounding some of the dietary products both the advertising and sometimes the well known ’star/personality’ success. If you look are some of the ‘result pictures’ you notice a lot more than the weight loss – the idea of a superb tan, a whole lot of new clothes even right down to some other things like a new car.
your question: tips for those struggling. I don’t know what will work for someone else. But what works for me is to go with the flow. Some days I cannot avoid temptation and I will not say “no” – rather I eat and feel the the power of the temptation…ohhhhhh soooo good. Then the next meal or the next day I will modify the intake – add more goodness etc.
At the very time, I am limited on the amount of my usual exercise and possibly will be for up to 18mths. So I have had to rethink how I will accomplish some different exercise which will not put extra pressure on my foot(sole).
I have decided to get back into ‘conducting’ an orchestra – or my favourite jazzed up music and including ’swinging’ to the beat without stamping my feet. This I can do in the privacy of my home or I guess if I wanted some fresh air I would take a ‘ipod’ to the park.
One area besides exercise has been to seriously ‘look’ at what I’m eating and for why. If I have to eat mindless food then I’m all for a sprinkling of garnish. One of my favourite is a fine grated Parmesan cheese – I use it bit like salt/pepper. Or here in NZ you can buy crushed things in small sprinking bottles which just add something to a plain other.
I was watching one of the Top Chef programmes last evening and one of the things they have do is ‘plate up’ – I think that might be another way to go…try to arrange the food so it really looks appealing. That sprinkling of garnish or the addition of another salad green, baby tomatoes, fresh herb may well just be the ticket.
Cathy in NZ´s last blog ..oops that’s wrong!
Hi Cathy,
Thanks for your suggestions. I think you’re right about the diet products – I find it particularly amusing how the before and after shots look. It’s funny how they have no make-up or hair done in the before, but afterwards they look pretty amazing, it’s like a make over show!
My wife and I like to put flavors into our foods… even Boca burgers can be dressed up with grilled onions, peppers, or perhaps some Italian sauce to change up the tastes.
I find if we know the caloric content of a food, we can fix it up a bunch of ways!
I like rabbits too but they are a bit bland.
John W. Zimmer´s last blog ..The Speed Bag Workout; Timing & Fitiness!
Hi there, yep still struggling 20 kgms later I have gone hay wire again. I am trying new food ideas all the time, but take out is my big killer. I have however bought some simple exercise equipment like a step, hand weights and I have a new exercise bike my sister gave me. These things worked for me before and with added floor work I think I can finally start putting the pieces back together. Depression ruined everything for me and I don’t want it to rule me any longer. Ill let you know how I get on. Thanks for your support.
Katly´s last blog ..Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year 2010
Hi Katly,
Great to hear from you. Stick with it, you’ve done so well! Exercise is a great, I hope you can get into a routine again
Hi to everyone
In my view whole this mistaken belief regarding diet and nutrition comes from people’s lack of knowledge and carefully planned marketing of many companies. Pharmaceutical business is guilty as well.
In internet and books we can find lots of scientific documents about nutrition, bad documents and good ones. The biggest problem is to choose those good ones, to make good decision one needs some knowledge (probably more than little bit of knowledge)
Without proper knowledge we don’t have a choice, we have to believe someone out there. In this case problem is even worse than simply lack of knowledge because great majority of nutrition specialists and dieticians doesn’t have idea about human nutrition and they only want to make some money (they will sell everything even worst scam).
Big companies which selling ready packed diet products are experts in selling useless and unhealthy foods, but they are marketing experts also and they know how to push people to buy product.
Pharmacy business is the biggest player on health market and is perfectly covered by law; they can do whatever they like while destroying competition (supplements and alternative medicine markets).
So there is only one way to go if one wants to be safe, get some real knowledge.
Cheers
Andrew Karpinski
http://www.your-healthy-foods.com
Hi to everyone
In my view whole this mistaken belief regarding diet and nutrition comes from people’s lack of knowledge and carefully planned marketing of many companies. Pharmaceutical business is guilty as well. In internet and books we can find lots of scientific documents about nutrition, bad documents and good ones.
The biggest problem is to choose those good ones, to make good decision one needs some knowledge (probably more than little bit of knowledge)
Without proper knowledge we don’t have a choice, we have to believe someone out there. In this case problem is even worse than simply lack of knowledge because great majority of nutrition specialists and dieticians doesn’t have idea about human nutrition and they only want to make some money (they will sell everything even worst scam).
Big companies which selling ready packed diet products are experts in selling useless and unhealthy foods, but they are marketing experts also and they know how to push people to buy product.
Pharmacy business is the biggest player on health market and is perfectly covered by law; they can do whatever they like while destroying competition (supplements and alternative medicine markets). So there is only one way to go if one wants to be safe, get some real knowledge.
Cheers
Andrew Karpinski
http://www.your-healthy-foods.com