6 reasons why you should never diet again

In general, people want to take care of themselves and their bodies, and this usually involves watching what you eat, and watching your weight. Those who want to shed unwanted pounds quickly will embark on endless journeys of carb-counting and long workouts.

While sometimes these “fad-diets” work short-term, they almost never last. The weight usually comes right back the second we veer away from our strict regimen of celery sticks and chicken breast. Being someone who couldn’t stay on a diet if I were paid to, I decided to compile a list of reasons why we should change the way that we are approaching weight loss, and ultimately our health.

1)  Carbohydrates are not the enemy.

Many spend countless hours counting carbs, and they end up depriving their bodies of precious nutrients. But, I have news for you. Carbs don’t make you gain weight; eating too much does. Americans have a hearty appetite for things that are horrible for our bodies, and most make the mistake of eating really large portions. Portion control is very important when it comes to weight loss.

There are also healthy carbs, and carbs that you should stay away from all together, and knowing the difference is vital to making a weight loss change that sticks, and getting healthy in the process. Your body needs healthy carbs to function properly.

They can also suppress your appetite, which will inevitably help with portion control, as well.  Fiber-rich whole grains, beans, fruits and vegetables all contain good carbohydrates that can help keep you feeling fuller for longer — which is key if you’re trying to lose or maintain your weight. Fiber helps slow down digestion, which helps prevent your blood sugar from rising fast and then falling.

2) Your body will rebel.

An extremely low diet will cause your body to go into what’s known as “starvation mode,” and it’s exactly what it sounds like. It thinks it’s starving, and saves every bit of fat that you have, ultimately inhibiting your ability to lose weight.

You must eat healthy, nutrient rich foods — and enough of them — so that your body is not shocked into self-preservation mode, hanging onto every last fat cell that it can.

3) Low-carb dieting is not a long term solution.

Yes, your low-calorie, no carb, strictly celery diet might help you shed that pesky muffin top before you go on your cruise, but it’s pretty much guaranteed that you will gain it all back the second a piece of bread touches your lips.

Losing weight and keeping it off in the long-term is all about a permanent lifestyle change. Choose a way to eat, move, think, feel and doing that naturally keeps you slender. It’s the only long-term solution.

4)  Cutting carbs won’t make you happier, or healthier.

Chances are, that if you are unhappy before you lose weight, you will probably still be unhappy after you lose weight. You may be more pleased with your body, but all the problem elements of your life will remain. Relationships, work life, friendships, schedules and other demands of life operate independently of your weight.

When there are issues in any of these areas, you need to address them. Sometimes we think that losing weight is a panacea in our lives. It’s not.

5) Dieting comes with a side of guilt.

Forcing yourself not to eat things that you think are delicious is hard enough, it’s even harder depriving your body of foods that you actually need. No matter what, there are going to be times that you might cheat on your diet, and without a doubt, there will be guilt following closely behind.

6) Learn to love yourself, and your body, BEFORE going on a diet.

Self-acceptance is a key that will unlock happiness you never thought possible. Becoming happier with yourself before the weight is lost will ultimately aid you in your goal of becoming healthier. Interestingly, losing weight probably will not stop you from criticizing yourself, if you are prone to self-criticism. Learning to stop self-criticism will, however, help you lose weight.

Sources:

4 Reasons You Shouldn’t Follow a Low-Carb Diet (Page 5) – EatingWell. (n.d.). Retrieved from EatingWell.com

8 Reasons You Shouldn’t Go On A Diet – The Frisky. (n.d.). Retrieved from TheFrisky.com

Three Reasons You Shouldn’t Go On a Diet. (n.d.). Retrieved from CalorieCount.com