Why Dieting Doesn't Work

Is it just me, or does the word diet make your skin crawl?! There are so many misconceptions about what a “diet” should look like. And truth be told, so many people are overthinking this concept and what they should or shouldn’t be eating. I mean think about it, how many different “diets” are out there that you can think of just off the top of your head? Paleo, Vegan, Weight Watchers, Keto, the list goes on and on. When it comes down to it, you just need to eat the foods that make you feel good.

So what does that look like for me? Real food. It’s that simple. I don’t stress about counting calories, points, containers, etc., in fact, the thought of that makes me cringe. Sure losing weight requires that you are burning more calories than you’re bringing in, but if you just focused on eating real food that makes you feel good, you’ll be choosing healthier options, and start looking and feeling better anyway.

When we start using the word “diet”, we correlate that with restriction, and that’s no way to live. In fact, that’s why so many people fall off the wagon, over and over again. Sure they might lose a few pounds here and there, heck, they might lose 10-20 pounds. But you know what happens when they stop counting the calories, points, etc? They gain it all back. And you will stop counting because that’s just not a realistic lifestyle to maintain. Trust me, I know. I’ve been there, done that. I’ve probably tried every “diet” out there thinking that it would work, and it just doesn’t.

So what if we stopped calling everything a “diet”? What if we just focused on eating real, whole foods? What does that look like you might ask? Well it doesn’t come from a packaged box filled with processed ingredients. These are foods that come from the earth and haven’t been genetically modified in any way, shape, or form.  More fruits, vegetables, and greens. Whole grains, not processed enriched white “grain” products. It’s grass-fed meat, and organic whenever possible. This is how you build and maintain a healthy lifestyle, not a diet.

I can guarantee if you start eating this way, you’ll start feeling better, you’ll lose few pounds, you’re skin will clear up, and you’ll feel less stressed and overwhelmed when it comes to your meals and the food you’re eating. If this seems like too much, start slow. One meal at a time. And I promise before long you’ll be incorporating more real, whole foods, in your everyday routine!