Diets typically fail in the long term. Most people find themselves gaining all their weight back within a year or two. Fortunately, there is a better way for you to get the results you desire. When you optimize your nutrition, you’ll improve your health, lose weight, and keep it off.
1. Avoid Popular Weight Loss Program
`Weight loss programs are designed to provide quick, short term results. Unfortunately, the weight loss is rarely sustainable.
These companies lure you with before and after images of dieters who lost a ton of weight. Although it’s fascinating to see people who lost 100 pounds in 6 months while eating pizza, it would be more informative to see their outcome in 5+ years.
If you are thinking about trying one of these programs, don’t. Even if you lose weight, it’s nearly impossible to sustain your results. Within a year or two, most dieters regain their weight.
You need a new approach that allows you to lose weight and maintain it lifelong.
2. Quit Relying on Willpower
Willpower and self-discipline are not long-term solutions. Weight loss programs force you to eat less food by….
- Counting points
- Counting carbs
- Counting calories
- Restricting your portion size
- Relying on weight loss shakes, bars and supplements (not real food)
Because you’re taking in fewer calories you may lose weight, but you’re also sabotaging your health as you deprive yourself of key nutrients. When this happens, the brain compensates by increasing your hunger and cravings for food. This means eventually you’ll return to old habits, quit your program, and start regaining your weight.
3. Follow a Healthy Lifestyle not a Diet
I don’t believe in “everything in moderation” because it keeps you moderately unhealthy. Moderation makes every single day a struggle. Animal products and processed junk food are addictive and promote cravings. These foods are inflammatory and cause obesity, diabetes, heart disease and other issues.
The best way to eat well and lose weight is with nutritious (and delicious) low fat, whole plant-based foods. These are naturally anti-inflammatory, high fiber foods that include fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and legumes. Such nutrient-dense foods improve health long term while helping you achieve your ideal body weight naturally.
This is the approach I teach my clients. Their eating habits promote health. As a result they eat MORE food and lose weight without “dieting”.
When you’re eating the right types of food, you’ll feel satisfied, comfortably full, and energized. These habits are sustainable and the results are long lasting.
It’s not a diet. It’s not a weight loss program. it’s a healthy lifestyle.
Carla Hightower, MD, MBA is a physician, health coach, workplace wellness consultant, and speaker. She helps people heal themselves with food. Through wellness workshops and courses, she helps companies create healthy, energetic teams.
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