The truth is that every day we are on a diet. According to Webster’s dictionary, the primary definition of a diet is “food and drink regularly provided or consumed.” Therefore, what is consumed on a daily basis is your diet. If health is this New Year’s Resolution, throw out the diet books and commit to three firm lifestyle changes. After mastering the first three goals, start gradually adding additional changes. Word to the wise, do not try and conquer all the necessary changes at once, instead focus on training your body and mind to make long term and permanent changes.
How will changing lifestyle habits and behaviors result in improved health?
The answer is simple: diet’s don’t work because they create a negative energy balance, eating fewer calories than the body needs will result in starvation and deterioration of the body, which is NOT HEALTHY! .
If lifestyle changes are made and one learns to manage their health, suddenly he or she has
1. Honored their body.
2. They are more inclined to choose what they truly need and want.
3. They are better able to be mindful of portion size.
4. They become healthy!
What is the next step?
1. Take a hard and honest look at current health habits.
2. Identify and record three areas that need to be worked on. These can be food or exercise related, or a combination of both.
3. Create an action plan and tell people about these goals.
4. Reach for support.
Top Nutrition and Exercise Changes that Result in Long Term Health:
1. Listen to your body and be mindful.
2. Eat a rainbow- have fruit and veggies daily.
3. Rest and re-charge.
4. Move- movement can sting you into a positive mood.
5. Begin to separate emotional vs physical hunger.
6. Water!!
Above are just a few suggestions of where to start with making long term changes. See if any of these identify to where you are and then reflect on other goals you may want to add to your list. But remember, keep it simple!
Adrien Paczosa is a Registered and Licensed Dietitian practicing in Austin, Texas and the surrounding counties.
She is the owner and founder of I Live Well Nutrition her Dietitian practice which started in 2007 and serves clients in the Austin, Texas area in two locations. Fearless Practitioners, the division of her business that offers training to dietitians and wellness professionals.