A handful of times a week, I am asked, “What diet I am on?”, “What diet is best to lose weight?”, “What diet’s have I tried?” and so on and so forth. Usually, I start to say what I normally eat and how I implement new foods or approaches to food into my life. The questioner usually responds with, “No…like what diets do you do?” This is when I start to talk their ear off about their incorrect notion of dieting and that is usually followed by disgust or a dumbfounded look. Welcome to the world of Diet vs Dieting!
I have found that dieting is horrible for your health and not a successful way to become healthy. Those may sound like one in the same, but they are not. The drugs and approaches that dieting advise can end up causing horrible diseases that do not treat the real problem. Dieting also does not lead to success in losing weight or becoming healthy in the long run. I cannot think of ONE PERSON I have ever met that starts dieting (keyword being – dieting) and 5 years later are healthy from that dieting approach. People, dieting does not help you. It hinders you. Dieting is usually set on a time-line and provides food and exercise suggestions that are not long term oriented. They are usually short term with focus on such things as losing weight for an event like a wedding. Dieting is horrible and stop doing it RIGHT NOW.
What I suggest is a different style of thinking. Instead of focusing on events and short term goals, focus on a lifetime of great health. That can only be done through a good diet (not dieting!!!). Establishing a lifestyle where nutrition and physical fitness are balanced into your daily life for the long term results of a long and healthy life is what I am wish everyone would do.
Look at it this way: Don’t go on a diet. Have a healthy diet in your life. Please re-read that last line out loud.
I said OUT LOUD.
Thank you! Now that you have said the words a couple of times, you should realize that dieting is BAD and having an all around healthy diet is GOOD. Now go start implementing today and not January 1.
LifeEx Action Steps:
- Eat fresh, local fruits and vegetables. Most cities have local farmers markets.
- Get off your rear and move around. Get at least 30 minutes of physical activity everyday.
- Cook all your meals. I don’t even do this, but if I said, “Cook as many meals as possible,” most people would say, “Okay 1 meal a week is possible. Try to cook your own food 95% of the time or higher.
Have a good one…
David Damron
LifeExcursion
I’ve come to the conclusion that I like your blog more than Leo Babauta’s blogs. I dig the way you write! You seem, based on limited observation, like a very genuine, down-to-earth person. I’ve perused numerous blogs and have subscribed to quite a few as well. Usually after a short period of time I unsubscribe. I used to like Leo’s blogs a long time ago but have noticed subtle changes in the way he writes. Almost as though it’s becoming condescending.
After 21 years in the Navy I can honestly say that I’ve seen quite a bit of the world. The best part was that I was getting paid to do it. Talk about frugal travel!!
I hope your life’s journeys take you far and treat you well. Keep up the good work and keep your eye out on a donation.
From a Sailor in Iraq,
Chris
Thank you so much for the great words of encouragement! I am extremely happy to hear such kind things and appreciate your sharing your thoughts with me.
First and foremost, I would like to thank you for serving this country.
Second, I am glad you have remained a subscriber. If I ever start to waiver from what you like, please do comment or email me privately at ddamron44@hotmail.com as to how I can get back on track and keep you as a reader. I don’t see this as a problem as my writing style has stayed pretty much the same since starting.
Third, Leo has been a huge inspiration for me and has helped me grow through links.He is why I started The Minimalist Path and its success is greatly owed to him and Joshua Baker. With that said, I understand your frustration. I too enjoyed the original ZH much more, but his content is still top notch. My girlfriend loved ZH, but feels it has become somewhat repetitive. I am still and will always be a huge fan of Leo’s but understand your perspective.
Thanks so much for your thoughtful words Chris. I am nothing without faithful followers like you.
David Damron
LifeExcursion
I could not agree more Dave!
My wife and I did not think of ourselves as “fat” per se… but once we changed our food mindset and began to eat healthy as a habit (with treat – not cheat – days) that is when things really fell into place.
Since then, it’s been about a year, I have lost 40 pounds and my wife has lost 20. We have both “normalized our weight” at what it is supposed to be and both feel great! We look at it as being good stewards of our health.
Congrats on discovering this nugget of solid info for yourself as well. Keep up the good work, it will pay off.
Matt Jabs´s last blog ..Homemade Toothpaste Recipe – Easy and Frugal
I am glad you and your wife were able to tag team this effort. I think too often people say they cant be healthy because they don’t have 10 hours to hit the gym weekly when all they really need is moderate exercise and a diet overhaul.
Thanks for sharing Matt
David Damron
LifeExcursion
Solid advice, glad to read everything here. I’m appalled when I read about people’s low carb, only apple’s random whatever is working this week craze. Lifestyle change, and nourishing your body the way it’s supposed to be nourished is what’s important. I fall right in line with this…your diet whether male or female should comprise of these 12 powerfoods.
http://www.menshealth.com/cda/article.do?site=menshealth&channel=nutrition&category=abs.diet&conitem=b72a99edbbbd201099edbbbd2010cfe793cd____
Robert´s last blog ..Work the System & Under30 Rockstar Biz Series
Spot on Dave, the simple art of eating right can get very complicated.
Greg – LiveItWithLess´s last blog ..Its time to Purge