STOP DIETING...Do This Instead.

 

I think it has been proven both scientifically and by personal experience that diets do not work. Instead you must make permanent life style changes in order to get fit and stay that way. This has been the hardest thing I've ever done because I'm not relying on some pre-formulated and tabulated diet regimen that says if you do 'X' you get 'Y'. Instead, I've been trying to change how I live. Here are some things that I'm doing to stay motivated and create some good healthy habits.

There is no such thing as CHEATING!

 WATER

 Forgive yourself.

 Read Success Stories.

 Find out how fit people live.

 You are not alone.

 You reap what you sow.

 Stay active.

Cheating -- If you eat an ice cream sundae it's because you chose to do it not because you cheated. What generally happens is this-- You give in to a craving and have the ice cream then you feel guilty and say, "I've blown it I might as well eat that bag of potato chips." GET OVER YOURSELF! You simply ate some ice cream. Look around you at the line in Dairy Queen. Are there only fat people in line cheating on their diets? NO! Here's a revelation…THIN PEOPLE EAT ICE CREAM. Did you know that? People who are fit and trim actually eat the stuff. You don't cheat you choose. Top

Water -- I know you've heard it before, but I'll say it again. You need 64 oz of water a day. Here's what I've learned. Your body demands that much water and if you don't drink it then your body will extract the water from the food you are eating. Guess what happens. Your body needs more water so your brain sends you a signal. If your body is used to getting your water from food, guess how you will interpret the signal…HUNGER! Ever felt hungry for no reason at all or had a craving but you just couldn't eat the right thing to satisfy it? Stop. Think about how you really feel. Chances are you are thirsty. I started paying attention to this and found it to be so true. The hunger cravings I was having were not for food but for water. If I drink enough water, I almost never have those strange cravings. Try it, you'll see…Top

Forgiveness -- This is the solution to when you feel guilt for making a bad choice. You must forgive yourself and move on. Most of the time the guilt you feel is destructive and it causes you to feel defeated and give up. Here's something I've found, losing weight and gaining strength works on the law of averages. If over time you average the right number of calories, the proper percentage of fat and are moving around more your body responds. However, there may be times when you need seek forgiveness from others and more importantly from God. You simply ask. The Bible says in I John 1:9 "If we confess our sins he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." There you have it, with one simple request you have a clean slate, a fresh start, and a new chance. Top

Success Stories -- You aren't alone. There are a lot of people who have taken their bodies from fat to fit and they are willing to share with you. If you know someone personally, talk to them. If you don't there are articles in magazines and lot's of web pages. I've been keeping a scrapbook of success stories I find in magazines. I also recorded an Oprah show where all of her guests lost 75+ pounds. I labeled the tape "Inspiration" and watch it when I need a reminder. Reading that someone else did it will keep you encouraged. After all if they can so can you. Top

Fit People -- If you have never been fit or have been stuck in a rut and can't remember what a healthy lifestyle looks like then ask somebody. A year ago I sent a survey out to some of my friends and asked them what they did to remain fit. I've never led a healthy lifestyle so I had no idea how to start. I asked them things like -- How do you know when to eat? How do you know when to stop eating? What do you eat in an average day? What do your portion sizes look like? Their answers to my survey opened my eyes to some simple things I could do to start me on my lifestyle change. Top

Alone -- God didn't create us to be alone. He desires to have us in community with himself and community with others. The most important relationship you can have is with your creator. The bible says that without him you can do nothing. If you haven't started a relationship with God through Jesus Christ it's only a prayer away. Secondly you need to be in relationship with other people. God flows his love toward us through the hearts and spirits of others. Find a church to get involved in. Find some friends to go on the journey with you. Top

Reap What You Sow -- It's an old Biblical saying but it has become such a cliché that it has lost its power. Our bodies are wonderfully designed machines and they will respond immediately to our actions. If you sow sedentary living you will reap a flabby body. If you sow high fat food you will reap a high cholesterol count. If you sow active living and fresh wholesome food you will reap a body that is fit and full of energy. Remember the law of averages here. Your body responds to what you give it over time. That's why you yo-yo. Your body is simply responding to what it's been given. Give your body the things it needs and it will reward you with health and energy. Top

Stay Active -- Staying active doesn't necessarily mean that you must become an exercise super freak. Look for ways to get activity and movement into your life. Mopping the floor and vacuuming is better than watching T.V.! Hard to believe, huh. Park at the back of the parking lot and walk a little farther. Take the stairs. Sit at your desk and do leg lifts. Get up for 5 minutes from your desk every hour and cruise the cubes. If you're sitting and relaxing ask yourself, are you doing it because you are physically tired or because you haven't found anything better to do? Maybe you're just bored. If so find a new hobby, volunteer or take a class. You shouldn't eat when you aren't hungry and you shouldn't rest when you don't need it. Top