Are you someone who thrives on the regiment of a strict diet for a short period of time only to rebound to your old eating habits? This is a common behavior that continues as long as you support the imbalance in your relationship to eating. Diet is one of those words that I hear constantly as a fitness instructor and it’s a word that always makes me cringe. This word sends shivers up my spine when I hear it because it is directly linked to a person’s self esteem and their feelings of control in their life.
Atkins vs. South Beach, the Cabbage Diet vs the Raw Diet, Vegan vs. Vegetarian. All of these diets encourage extremes in one’s eating behavior. The word “diet” emphasizes the negatives in one’s life. It’s best to throw out the word diet with the dishwater and replace it with the commitment to healthy eating.
Most people intuitively know their weaknesses when it comes to food. Craving salty or sweet are the most common preferences leading to over consumption of candy and desserts or processed snack foods like chips. Of course, if you have serious issues with obesity and its related diseases like Type 2 Diabetes, you need to regulate your health with a medical professional who can construct an appropriate dietary plan tailored to your specific needs.
The first step to support changes to healthy eating habits is by using positive psychology to reinforce your new habits. Relate to yourself and your food with gratitude and enjoyment rather than self-loathing and resentment. I say a prayer of thanksgiving for every meal placed in front of me because there are millions across the world who are far less fortunate when it comes to meal time. The simple act of giving thanks for the food in front of you begins to change the emotional relationship to the meal you are about to consume. Remember the old adage: You are what you eat.
Bon appetit.
