Wednesday, April 15, 2009

To "Diet" or not to "Diet"?, that is the question..

We all know "dieting" doesn't work in the long haul for losing weight and disease prevention, but I'm here to say "dieting" does!
So your saying it works...but it doesnt work at the same time? Yes!
Well that doesn't make sense?

Hear me out....

Diet, taken from dictionary.com, has these definitions(and more):
–noun
1.
food and drink considered in terms of its qualities, composition, and its effects on health: Milk is a wholesome article of diet.

- This, along with the 2nd definition are my favorites. This is how I approach my eating. I often blend the 2nd definition in with this one because I believe they go hand in hand.

2.
a particular selection of food, esp. as designed or prescribed to improve a person's physical condition or to prevent or treat a disease: a diet low in sugar.
-I eat Paleo foods because this is what my body functions and operates the best with. I also know it will improve performance, and help prevent disease. 2 birds with 1 stone, thats how I like it.

VS.

3.
such a selection or a limitation on the amount a person eats for reducing weight: No pie for me, I'm on a diet.
-No doubt, this is the most common use of the word diet. We as trainers hear all the time about people dabbling with different "diets" and never being able to lose weight. They fail to make a lifestyle change, mainly because they are mis-informed, or they just don't care.

So...Paleo=Diet?

Technically, Paleo foods are eaten because of their quality, composition, and effects on health. Because of that, they improve our physical condition, and help prevent disease. Fits the definition right? Sure it does!
I would say" My diet consists of meats,veggies, some fruits, little starch, nuts and seeds, and no sugar", because my diet is optimal for life.

I wouldn't say, "I'm on a diet of meats, veggies blah blah, because I'm not limiting my foods. In fact I'm eating all the food I want to eat. Are you limiting your foods to be on a diet, or are you eating a healthy diet. For myself I knew the difference when I started craving the good stuff(Paleo), and not buying or even walking by the other stuff in the store. I knew then this was a lifestyle change, and I had wasn't limiting foods anymore. I was walking to, and getting everything I wanted, no limits!

My diet is not a diet, make sense? Those who don't know may think I'm on a "diet", but it's really just my diet.

Are you on a diet, or do you just have a good diet? Watch the video if your not sure. He is trying to diet, but I don't think it's working.




3 comments:

Catherine Hart said...

The word DIET is actually the Greek word for "Way of Life" which is very fitting for what you are saying.

JDP said...

definitely Catherine, It's just my way of life!

Michael Gregory said...

Dieting is also a Geek word that people who are geeks use when talking about not eating too much.

I forget people even say this stuff... "I'm on a Diet"


I say, "then lets eat!"