According to Nielsen BookScan, about 5 million diet books are sold annually in the US — around half of the total health and fitness category in 2015. Gardening books, by contrast, sold about a million units in 2015. There’s no shortage of information out there on how to “diet.” And there are plenty of philosophies on what to eat for weight loss.
Some of this is based on fads and dubious information. It’s not necessarily medical sound for everyone across the board—as with anything else in life, embarking on something new takes effort, sacrifice, and commitment.
One must discover their “why” and develop a strategy for taking that first step regardless of what method of nutrition plan they are choosing. This is not a “diet.” As explained by Dr. Haley Perlus, a sport and performance Psychology Ph.D., this is an action plan.
How will healthy nutrition improve your life?
Do you want to shed weight to feel better and look better yourself? Is it your wish to improve cholesterol, sugar, or blood pressure readings, to walk faster, climb stairs more quickly, and work out more effectively? Will you be able to participate in certain activities and adventures? Make sure you are starting on a nutrition journey for the “right” reasons with realistic goals.
It’s more than just the scale
Weight can fluctuate up to six pounds each day. It all depends on what you eat and drink, exercise habits, and even how you sleep. There are more important benefits to healthy eating than what you weigh. Healthy eaters have more energy, feel more optimistic, and experience more confidence and overall happiness. Reflect on your daily mood and energy more than the number on the scale each day. Your weight will care for itself as you start and maintain a healthy eating regimen.
Pick a weight loss plan that suits your lifestyle
Don’t sabotage yourself before your start. For example, suppose you are someone with a busy social life in the summer or are planning on going on vacation. In that case, purchasing a diet delivery program that requires you to eat three meals and snacks at home is unrealistic. It would help if you educate yourself on how to eat healthy outside the home. Choosing a regimen that matches your lifestyle and desires is more important than its popularity in media.
Stick to one plan of action
One can drive themselves bonkers with all the different nutrition approaches. Before starting a program, read online and determine what will suit your lifestyle best. Some plans require a great deal of purchasing of food, special supplements, and specialty foods. Often, you can’t find these particular items in “basic” grocery stores or restaurants. Some plans require intermittent fasting or one meal a day. Decide what is optimal for the life you lead and regular activity. It is a good idea to consult with your primary care physician or nutrition expert so they can help you decide.
Seek the help of a professional if needed
If it is within your budget, seek help from a nutritionist, online support group, or health coach. They can guide you through the process and answer questions you have along the way. Many people have great intentions regarding good nutrition. They don’t know the healthier way to eat because they have not trained. Friends are not always the best people to turn to. Although they typically mean well, they may have tried a “gimmick” diet that didn’t provide optimal nutrition or a plan that is doable as a way of eating for life.
Don’t beat yourself up if you “cheat”
We all must live life. When on a nutrition journey, some days are weight loss days, weight maintenance, and occasionally a weight gain day if there is a celebration. If you did indulge, don’t get stuck in it. Own it and move forward. Start the next day fresh. Do not let one “relapse” make you throw in the towel. You want to eliminate self-talk of labeling foods as “good” or “bad.” It is more constructive to think of them as “less nutritious” or “healthier foods.” When we put “emotions” into foods, people tend to have food and body image issues, which we want to avoid.
Celebrate small victories and reward yourself
Celebrating your daily/weekly/monthly wins when starting a nutrition plan. When you have achieved a specific goal, celebrate with a mani/pedi, a massage, or anything else within your budget. Just be sure this self-care will not counteract all of your progress.
Prepare for stall or plateaus
Not every week will be your best, even when you are doing all the “right” things. Nutrition journeys take patience. Slow and steady does “win” the race. Don’t compare yourself to celebrities with an army of trainers and chefs. Most people who start a healthy eating regimen do so gradually and develop a realistic eating plan for life.
BEAUTY AND FITNESS WEDNESDAYS
No matter where you live, Shop LC wants you to live your best life. Beauty and Fitness Wednesdays is our newest programming block. It’s dedicated to helping you find that sense of wellness – inside and out!
Beauty, health, and wellness products can be costly. Thankfully, our unique business model is here to help! At Shop LC, most products are made for us by us. And when they’re not, we work closely with the vendors who supply them to ensure they’re the perfect fit.
Our team makes it a priority to field test our beauty and fitness products before sharing them with you every Wednesday. Why? Because we want you to love them as much as we do! You’ll want to tune in weekly to find out what’s new and check out our best-selling products.
Join us 6 – 8 p.m. CT Every Wednesday and discover what’s in store.
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