Fad diets vs Permanent lifestyle change
Sitting in my car this morning as the engine warmed up, the rain clouds made the sky a lovely yellow gray, and I felt so incredibly serene and happy. Happy with my life, my health, and the choices I've been making over the last few weeks. I am totally feeling (and beginning to see) the affects of this new commitment to a better lifestyle...and it's really exciting.
The results thus far:
Running everyday:
A huge jump in my daily energy, an increase in my happiness factor (I feel so cheery all the damn time), an increase in my desire to eat healthy *all the live long day*, better (uninterrupted) nights sleep, and already noticeable weight loss. Everyday that I get home from work I'm seriously craving a run...I think I'm borderline obsessed --- I've heard and read that this is normal for most beginning runners.
Not Drinking (I'm sure the absence of alcohol in addition to running every day goes hand in hand with most of the following):
I feel lighter. I don't know how else to put it...my entire body feels lighter, and clean. My thought process seems to flow so much more clearly, and I'm articulating much more easily ---this is good because I love having a sharp wit. My over-all complexion has improved; face, arms, and back (yay to this). I've developed an odd love for Blue Sky Ginger Ale with lemon juice...this has become my "special treat" drink - poured into a fancy glass garnished with mint, or a piece of fresh fruit.
A thought that runs through my mind on occasion, and more often now because of the recent life changes I've made, is fad dieting. This is an awful American trend that needs to stop. No fad diet is meant to last forever - and that's where ONE of the biggest problems lies. In order to make a permanent change in your life you need to first have a good foundation upon which change can happen. No amount of money, pills, prepackaged food, fizzy neon-pink-colored water, or info-mercial is going to give you the foundation that you need. For me it all comes down to quality of life - that's where my foundation starts. After that the commitment begins.
The problem with fad dieting and commitment, well...there just isn't any. How can someone properly commit themselves to the promise of "weight-loss salvation" when that promise is not coming from the MOST important place: you.
If you commit to yourself then you're committing to a life change - like a marriage or serious relationship - it's not easy, it's hard work - and it's SO rewarding. I don't know why so many people subscribe to the fad diet, but my only guess is that the level of commitment to a "real" life change isn't something they're ready for.
Don't get me wrong though - I know that some people can totally commit themselves to a diet and make it work (every *body* is different), I guess I'm more or less ranting about the people (I've been guilty of this too) that jump on board with a new diet every few months, see results, and then fall off the wagon - only to jump back on again further down the road.
Permanent lifestyle change is the key for me I guess...and in all of my new found excitement and zest I can't help but *squee* about it. I'm sure it'll subside sooner or later, and the hard work, commitment and discipline will really need to kick in.
The results thus far:
Running everyday:
A huge jump in my daily energy, an increase in my happiness factor (I feel so cheery all the damn time), an increase in my desire to eat healthy *all the live long day*, better (uninterrupted) nights sleep, and already noticeable weight loss. Everyday that I get home from work I'm seriously craving a run...I think I'm borderline obsessed --- I've heard and read that this is normal for most beginning runners.
Not Drinking (I'm sure the absence of alcohol in addition to running every day goes hand in hand with most of the following):
I feel lighter. I don't know how else to put it...my entire body feels lighter, and clean. My thought process seems to flow so much more clearly, and I'm articulating much more easily ---this is good because I love having a sharp wit. My over-all complexion has improved; face, arms, and back (yay to this). I've developed an odd love for Blue Sky Ginger Ale with lemon juice...this has become my "special treat" drink - poured into a fancy glass garnished with mint, or a piece of fresh fruit.
A thought that runs through my mind on occasion, and more often now because of the recent life changes I've made, is fad dieting. This is an awful American trend that needs to stop. No fad diet is meant to last forever - and that's where ONE of the biggest problems lies. In order to make a permanent change in your life you need to first have a good foundation upon which change can happen. No amount of money, pills, prepackaged food, fizzy neon-pink-colored water, or info-mercial is going to give you the foundation that you need. For me it all comes down to quality of life - that's where my foundation starts. After that the commitment begins.
The problem with fad dieting and commitment, well...there just isn't any. How can someone properly commit themselves to the promise of "weight-loss salvation" when that promise is not coming from the MOST important place: you.
If you commit to yourself then you're committing to a life change - like a marriage or serious relationship - it's not easy, it's hard work - and it's SO rewarding. I don't know why so many people subscribe to the fad diet, but my only guess is that the level of commitment to a "real" life change isn't something they're ready for.
Don't get me wrong though - I know that some people can totally commit themselves to a diet and make it work (every *body* is different), I guess I'm more or less ranting about the people (I've been guilty of this too) that jump on board with a new diet every few months, see results, and then fall off the wagon - only to jump back on again further down the road.
Permanent lifestyle change is the key for me I guess...and in all of my new found excitement and zest I can't help but *squee* about it. I'm sure it'll subside sooner or later, and the hard work, commitment and discipline will really need to kick in.