Why isn't dieting the answer? It sounds like an easy way to lose weight. The latest fad diet brings hope that "this will be the one," but it never is, at least not for long. Once you return to old eating habits, the weight piles back on.
Why is this? The answer is a holistic one. Something about the way you think, feel or believe is keeping you from achieving your weight maintenance goal. Ask yourself these questions:
1. What do I feel like most of the time?
2. What am I thinking about right before I eat?
3. What do I think about while I'm eating?
4. Why do I buy foods that I know will put on the pounds?
5. How hopeful am I about my life?
Did you find that you're depressed, lonely, don't believe in yourself or anything else? Do you con yourself into thinking that it won't hurt to eat just one candy bar or one bag of corn chips? After you do eat too much or too many foods that put on weight (but taste so good!) do you feel guilty and think, "What the heck. I'm off my diet now, might as well splurge?"
If you have any of these thoughts or feelings, try a holistic approach. First, develop a written contract with yourself or a trusted friend to get yourself going toward a goal of losing five pounds this month. (Remember: losing weight fast is too stressful for your body, so don't do it.) However you use this contract, make sure that you or the other person is encouraging in a helpful way. You don't want to use this if you're down on yourself or your friend is the discouraging type who'll try to tempt you with goodies or berate you if you don't meet your goal. Use positive comments like, "I can do this. I'm already doing it. Even if I slip and overeat, I can get right back on track."
While you're at it, keep a log of your moods. Did you know that high stress may be the reason that you're overeating? Write down what you eat, when and how you are feeling at the moment and after you eat. You'll begin to identify patterns. Once you do that, you can learn ways to defeat those patterns and reduce your stress.
Lack of hope is a big reason why people overeat and try diets. They're searching for a quick fix to the agony they feel. Don't worry so much about what you eat. Find something in life that charges you up and makes you feel good about yourself. Maybe volunteer at the local Women's Center or library or nursing home to help other people. Volunteering is one of the best ways to get yourself out of a funk. It feeds your spiritual side and helps others in the process.
Sugar is an addiction. So, start eliminating it from your food plan. Once you do, you'll be surprised how sweet and satisfying a banana, a mango, a pineapple or a bunch of dark red grapes tastes. Learn to savor each bite. If you're overweight, you probably eat quickly. Pretend you're eating in slow motion and learn to taste what you're eating. That way, your internal signals that tell you you're full will go back into operation and you'll learn to gauge how much to eat to feel full.
Caffeine is another addiction. It's in coffee, tea, sodas, chocolate and a lot of other substances you might be consuming. Caffeine increases stress because it leaches calming B vitamins out of your body, takes bone-strengthening calcium out of you and releases relaxing magnesium, too. You need these vitamins and minerals to be on an even beam and feel good about yourself.
For other holistic information click on
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For more tips on losing weight in a way that keeps you healthy and feeds your mind and spirit as well as your body, click on the link at the top and to the right of this article entitled, American Holistic Nurses' Association Guide to Common Chronic Conditions. You'll find a lot of helpful permanent weight loss tips there. Or click on the link for De-Stress, Weigh Less, below!
