Diet is a state of mind

is a state of mindDIET

BY CAPT. JENNIFER CARPENTER

SUSTAINMENT BRIGADE MULESKINNER HOLISTIC HEALTH AND FITNESS (H2F)

When you think of the word ‘diet,’ what do you think of?

Do you think about the latest fad diet on social media that will help you lose “those last ten pounds,” or the goal pants in the back of the closet that will fit “one day,” or even the stress that comes before every swimsuit season, wedding, major life event, etc.?

For many, diet is a “four letter word.” But why does one word give so many people a sense of anxiety and dread? Moreover, why do we give that one word so much power?

Merriam Webster defines diet as, “food and drink regularly provided or consumed,” but ironically, most people associate diet with nutrition that is sparingly consumed in order to lose weight. As a culture, we have developed a “diet mindset” where we are constantly on a diet or in between diets. As a result, every time we try to diet, it becomes harder and harder each time. Let me ask you a question. If diets worked the first time, why do we always need to be on a diet?

In general, the best “diet” is something sustainable that you can easily do for the rest of your life. So, if you love rice but you are on a “no rice diet,” do you think you will be able to maintain that forever? Chances are, probably not. When people make foods off limits, they get an overwhelming urge to eat that food. So, when I decide that I deserve a cheat day, I am going to eat all of the rice that I can as well as any other foods I have labeled as off limits. After all, I will start my diet again tomorrow … But then “cheat day” becomes “cheat week” which becomes “cheat month.” At what point, would it have been easier to never have been on a diet?

Diets are not sustainable. They may work momentarily but they rarely last. This is why health professionals constantly promote lifestyle changes. It’s the little things like switching the daily soda for water or changing the large coffee with all of the bells and whistles to a smaller version or walking an extra couple of miles a few times per week. You don’t have to change everything that you do in order to improve upon yourself. Just try to make a couple of changes that you will stick with, and then make a couple more in a few weeks after you’ve been consistent.

Remember, life’s a marathon, not a sprint and we are what we repeatedly do.