The Last Diet

It is funny where these things come to me.  I was driving home from dropping off Kady at school today. And, as normal, my brain started thinking about people and food and how to help people move towards better eating habits.  I started to think about what I went through and the changes I made and how I can help people do the same in their lives.

The one thing that kept coming up in my mind is, this did not happen overnight. For me, the journey was along one.  It took me over 4 years to get where I am today. Of those 4 years, I think the first 3 years I was doing it the hard way and during the last year or so, I really figured it out.  Once I did, things got a whole lot easier.

So, does it take 4 years to make a permanent change in your body (and life)? Maybe it does, maybe it doesn't.  I do truly wish I would have known 4 years ago, what I know today.  I think it would still have taken some time, but I think I could have sped up the process for myself for sure.

We always want a quick fix.  That is just how we are in today's world and our 'I want it now' mentality.  In our quest for a fast fix, the trap that most people (me included) fall into when trying to lose weight and become healthy is this - going on a diet and exercising more.  This is what we have been led to believe is the solution to getting into shape and becoming healthy.  But, this obviously does not work.  I have tried it myself (many times) and I continue to see people every day try this without success.

One of the biggest frustrations to me is seeing someone go on the latest 'diet du jour' or a weight loss challenge or a detox program.  This is frustrating to me because while I know that people will lose weight, they will not be able to maintain it long-term.  Over time, they will gain all the weight back and may even gain more.

Why is this?

One of the first articles I wrote was called "diets don't work."  It is amazing how much I have learned since I wrote that article.  I just read it again and I had the exact right concepts, but I had no idea (biologically) why they were right.  After over a year and a half of researching this topic, it is all crystal clear to me.

When I used to go on diets (and I did them all), they all restricted one of the macronutrients (fat, carbohydrates or protein).  On top of that, any diet adds some level of exercise.  Well, by simply manipulating the % of marconutrients in certain ways and applying some exercise, it is possible to lose weight.  This is strictly calories in vs. calories out (the first law of thermodynamics).  But to maintain the weight loss, you have to permanently change the way you eat (this is because different types of calories cause different effects in our bodies)!

Similarly, detox programs to me are the same as diets.  Don't get me wrong, detoxing is important.  As you start losing weight, your body will be releasing toxins and you do need to get rid of those. But I'd much  rather see someone start eating foods that naturally detox your body on a day to day basis.  Again, it goes back to that quick fix mentality.

When people hear they have to permanently change their diet....it sounds really scary and I think this is why people do not step up and make permanent changes in their life.  They are afraid that they will have to be on a diet that never ends.  Well, no wonder they are afraid. I don't blame them. Diets and detoxes are miserable!  Who would want to eat that way for the rest of their life?  No one!

Well, there is some bad news and some good news.

The bad news is, if you are currently not at peak health, then you will have to make some sort of permanent change in your nutrition plan.

The good news is that there is an end.

There is an end to craving foods that are not healthy for your body. There is an end to counting calories. There is an end to feeling guilty about food. There is an end to hours on the treadmill. There is an end to low energy. There is an end to cellulite. There is an end to not having your perfect (and healthy) body! Once you get your nutrition (and your body's natural biochemistry) back in order, there is an end to all of the madness!

People are just afraid of giving up what they 'think' they love because that's what we're used to doing when we diet. That's not really how it works, though, when you lose weight using nutrition instead of force.

I used to have lots of cravings. My specific cravings were pizza, chips, and diet soda (ok and maybe wine).  These were strong cravings.  Today, I have no cravings, at least not the way I used to.  Sure I get hungry, but that is just my body's way of telling me to eat.  So I eat. That is natural. I do not have any restrictions in what I eat or drink.  I allow myself to eat or drink whatever I want. The difference today is that what my body wants is much different than what it used to be. I do not feel deprived of anything because I can eat anything I want.  My body just naturally rejects things that are not good for it.

Whether you know it or not, your body is already rejecting those things now.  It is sending signals you cannot hear (because your biochemistry has been hijacked).  It is sending you physical signals that things are not right - in the form of fatigue, disease and/or excess body fat.

The solution is so simple and easy and you have heard it a million (and a half) times - especially if you read my posts.  Eat natural real whole foods as close to the way they are found in nature and your body will take care of the rest.  The food we are eating now (and in the quantities we are eating them) is not our natural nutrition, nor is it what our bodies are expecting to receive in order to function properly.

While the solution sounds simple, in reality, it will take some work to get there. Making a permanent change to your body's biochemistry, so that it naturally will crave good things and reject bad things, this is something that will have to happen slowly over time. There was a process of baby steps that I took to move my body in that direction. I believe everyone will have to take similar steps and go through similar phases in order to create permanent change.

It is not as simple as just changing what you are eating overnight. In the state your body is currently in, it will fight you. You have to slowly work your body's systems back to their natural state. How long will it take?  I think that is an individual thing.  It took me 4 years. Knowing what I know now, I think I could have cut that time down significantly. Still, I believe it will take significant time and that there is no quick fix here.

But so what!

What if it did take you 4 years of making slow easy changes in your lifestyle to get your perfect body. Is that so bad? Would you rather spend a couple years making permanent lasting change in your body or spend the next couple of years trying different diets and at the end of the day end up in worse shape?

It is a crazy time we are living in.  What I am sharing here goes against everything we have been led to believe and what is marketed to us.  There are a million diets, pieces of workout gear, creams, potions and lotions.  They are all focused on a quick fix. But, at the end of the day, there's no quick 'fix.'

If you really want a quick 'fix', let me speed it up for you so you can get there quicker. This is as quick as it gets. ... You ready? It all comes down to educating yourself on proper nutrition and taking small easy steps off your current path and onto a new one.  The sooner you start  moving in the right direction, the sooner you will get there.  The sooner you get your perfect body, the sooner you can forget about all the food madness and just start living your life how you were designed to.

Start today!  Make the last diet you went on, just that - your Last Diet!

If you would like some help speeding up the process, email me, I would love to help you!  tk@hereswhatido.com