You may have stumbled upon various articles which tell you that you need to Stop Dieting and Start Living or something like that. I even read people who say that Dieting is bad because it contains the word Die in it, as if dieting is like dying. I get it: no one likes to go on a diet. However, are they really bad? Is it better to not use a diet?
The Dismal Truth About Dieting
While statistics are a bit vague, there is no doubt that most diets and dieters fail. I am talking about the failure to lose weight and keep it off, not temporary weight loss. Many diet plans out there do have a short term focus and fail their users in the long run.
This may be what’s behind the whole “Stop Dieting” campaign. It’s partially that, at least.
The other part has to do with the nature of many diets: they are way too restrictive. They don’t teach you healthy eating habits, but try to punish you for being fat and virtually beat the pounds off you.
However, is this the only way diets can be? Not at all.
The True Meaning Of Diet
The first definition of the word diet in merriam-webster is “food and drink regularly provided or consumed”. It says nothing about calorie restriction. Your diet is simply what you normally eat or drink. A diet can lead to weight gain or weight loss. It can be healthy or otherwise. The only thing that’s important is that it is made of food and drink that you consume on a regular basis.
So, a diet doesn’t have to be very low in calories or ultra-restrictive. You can have a much more sensible diet plan than that. This is why I don’t see the reason why so many people are against dieting. The whole Stop Dieting movement is a bit odd, in my opinion.
The Big Benefit Of Dieting
If you’re trying to lose weight a diet is what you need. Why? Because a diet gives you structure. You don’t have to guess or try to figure out what you can or cannot eat. You have a plan and you can simply follow it.
Let’s face it: most of us don’t know what’s good to eat and if we try to read product labels we’re likely to not understand each and every ingredient. It’s just the way it is.
Following a diet is easier than trying to figure out what you can or cannot eat. It gives you simple rules to follow and you don’t need to agonize over what is allowed or forbidden. For most people, this structure and order are well worth it.
Don’t Go Restrictive On Me
Diets come in many shapes and forms. You don’t have to choose a strict one. In fact, I advise you not to. A restrictive diet can be hard to stick to mentally and physically and may also not be the best choice for long term weight loss. You can lose weight by cutting your calories moderately while engaging in a rigorous exercise routine. Your diet can be normal and sustainable, but having one can make a big difference.
Dieting is not just about cutting calories, but also about eating healthy food. You don’t have to punish yourself to lose weight, but it pays to have a plan to follow and adhere to.
So, don’t be afraid of diets. You don’t have to stop dieting. You just need to find a good one to follow.
