Personalized Nutrition
When it comes to ‘diets’ or ‘dieting’ that people so often partake in, there are a myriad of forms: 10 day, 15 day, or 30 day diet challenges. Most people are successful in losing weight when on these types of diets, only to gain the weight back. Research shows that 95% of people who lose weight by going on a diet regain it back. So basically 5% of people maintain the weight-loss they achieve through a diet.
It’s a pretty harsh statistic but often heard. Anyone can go on a diet, not eat carbs for 30 days and lose weight. But are people really focusing on why they want to make a change or why they wanted to lose weight in the first place?
Unfortunately, with losing weight, there is no black and white approach, even when we’re told there is. Every single person is unique, and no one diet fits all. If you want to make a life lasting change, you need to treat losing weight as a unique process for you.
What can you start doing right now to prevent yourself from fad dieting and turning instead towards a path of lasting change? Read below for my top tips.
Look for Swaps
Part of the reason why people gain all the weight back after dieting is because they miss their comfort foods. Have you ever been in the position where you have just started your 30-day low-carb diet and your family or friends are sitting down to pizza and beers on a Friday night and you are sitting pretty with your chopped salad and grilled chicken? Well, I definitely have. All you can think about the entire time is how good that pizza smells or how amazing that beer looks. Instead of feeling like you are totally missing out, swap for a cauliflower crust pizza or a spelt crust pizza topped with loads of veg. I know it’s not the same, but it will leave you feeling better and won’t lead to a binge later on.
Are you really hungry or are you filling a void?
So often we mistake real hunger for something else. Eating when we’re not hungry can often mask boredom or avoidance. If you are feeling bored throughout the day, try getting some fresh air and going for a walk. If you are at work and can’t leave your desk, try reading an article, log into the news, or grab a tea and have a catch up with a co-worker. You would be amazed when you start to acknowledge the difference between hunger and boredom.
Research
I can’t stress this one enough! There are so many social media outlets, adverts, Facebook ads and documentaries talking about the next fad diet. If your friend has decided to ditch gluten and dairy and you think it sounds like a good idea, grab any book on the Paleo diet and learn why people do this. My favourite book I read when I started getting into health and nutrition was, It Starts With Food, by Melissa Hartwig and Dallas Hartwig. It goes into detail about what processed foods do to our digestive system and the benefits of a whole foods diet.
Getting in touch with a health coach
Defining your vision of a healthier lifestyle can be challenging. A health coach will guide you through different diet plans and lifestyle changes you can start making. You are held accountable for your actions and there is someone with you every step of the way. You can begin to take the guesswork out of what foods work best for you and your body and start to focus on your new healthy lifestyle.
Enjoy the process, you have one body, so treat it well. If you want to make lasting change you need to take the time to figure out your body and what works for you. If you require any help or assistance in your lifestyle journey, please do not hesitate to get in touch with myself for one-on-one coaching.
Jaclyn Doyle is a certified nutritional therapist and helps clients change their diets and lifestyle with personalised nutrition plans. She realises that everyone is different and individuals need a specific and personalized nutrition plan to achieve their goals. Please contact Jaclyn Doyle at: info@healthistic.com or visit her blog at www.healthistic.com
