DIET is a Four-Letter Word

In my younger years I had no concept of eating for good health. I knew the term "well-rounded diet". I knew there was a difference between a bowl of ice cream and a bowl of vegetables. But my concern was only focused on the shape of my body in dance wear or a bikini.

 I would jump on the bandwagon of the latest crash diet. Oh yes, this went way beyond Atkins or the South Beach Diet (which wasn’t created yet). I was just reminded the other day of one I tried: The banana, hot dog, egg diet. I heard someone talking about it. Can you imagine? Nine bananas one day, nine hot dogs one day, nine hard boiled eggs one day!!! The point? It did nothing more than show you how to (severely) restrict what you consumed for three days.

As a dance major in the 70s– it is amazing to think of the physical demands placed on our bodies without one course of nutrition required, let alone provided in the program. As I journeyed into the fitness industry, still young, I was still not too concerned with nutrition because I was active enough. Although I was careful I could eat pretty much what I wanted without it affecting my appearance.

 As a mother, from the time my daughter was old enough to understand, I was careful never to use the word “diet” in front of her. Even when I was beginning to worry and slightly unhappy about a few extra pounds finding their way around my middle. I practiced the words (although not necessarily the philosophy) that I “needed to eat healthy”. I didn’t want her to grow up with a warped self-image or with the pressure or the idea that we need to “diet” to look our best. I think many eating disorders or yo-yo diets might possibly be traced back to that attitude.

 So here we are–EATING HEALTHY– not dieting. If you know you need to make changes, consider beginning by focusing on what your body needs to stay healthy and function at its best. Try to think more of what you need to add to your diet instead of what you may need to avoid or take away (I know that can be a tough concept for some). Think of the old 6-8 glasses of water or filling half your plate with vegetables at dinner; that can leave little room on your plate or in your stomach, for the overabundance of protein or processed carbs and refined sugars. Try to keep your choices colorful. When your body is getting what it needs it stops craving what you think it wants.

*I have found SHAKEOLOGY to be very helpful with giving me proper nutrition (daily chocolate for me, my daughter prefers vanilla, my friend prefers vegan strawberry). 

You may be surprised by what happens on the way to getting healthy. Many people approach this backwards, as I did in my younger years, and try unhealthy tactics to look better. In the end their health may suffer and they are not able to keep up with the plan so their waistline eventually suffers too.

 Of course we all want to look our best but that begins by feeling our best. Focusing on our health instead of the size we want to be will eventually accomplish both in a much healthier way (without the “D” word)

DIET IS A FOUR LETTER WORD. Use it only to talk about or plan your healthy diet …and… with a HEALTHY ATTITUDE choose to be

 HEALTHY AND HAPPY!