Weight Loss Articles

"Must Do" Diet Tips
By Amy Phillips-Gary

Diets are chock full of guidelines for what you can and cannot eat, how much and what sort of exercise you should do, and how much water should be consumed in a day. Depending on the diet you are currently on, you may find yourself cutting out sugars and processed carbs or taking in only foods and drinks that are alkalizing or eating only what enhances your particular blood type. It can feel confusing to know what to believe and which method to follow.

When it's all said and done, it doesn't matter what type of diet you are on, if you flat out don't accept and love your body.

Over 70% of Americans resolve to diet and many more than that report disliking their bodies. This makes some sense-- after all, if you don't like your body as it is, take steps like going on a diet to make it more appealing and, hopefully, healthier in the process. Unfortunately, doing the surface-level work of eating differently and exercising more will only have surface-level effects at best. It's a bit like putting a new coat of paint on your car when the brakes are squealing.

When you diet without shifting the way you perceive and feel about your body-- and your self-- any changes will probably be short-lived and not make you feel better about being the you who you are.

Like many American women (and men), I've been on countless diets. Some were more reasonable and made sense, others a bit eccentric and fad-ish. Some were even harmful to my health. On many of these diets I did lose weight. Then, of course, after the diet ended the weight returned or increased. I am not a dietitian, a doctor, nurse or any type of health care expert. And I'm not here to advocate-- or reject-- any particular diet. What I do know is that the most effective "diets" I've been on have focused less on what I ate and more on how I felt.

Emotion, for me, seems to be a key to my body. When I feel good and am taking care of my entire self, it is easy to make affirming food and activity choices and feel ok about my body in the process. As I work through and let go of outmoded emotional habits and self-defeating beliefs, it seems that my body follows suit and the physical shape and health I want begins to emerge. Learning to love my body itself is part of this emotion work.

"Must Do" Diet Tip #1: Make peace with your body.

I have come to believe that when you are finally able to make peace with your body-- as it is-- you are on track to having the body you want. This may seem contradictory, but it's really not. As you accept and come to terms with your stomach, your thighs, your nose, your chin, the parts and whole of the physical you, you can more easily allow the wanted changes to happen. Or, you might even see that the desired aspect was there all along.

How many times have you pushed against something only to meet more resistance ending up feeling stuck in a stalemate? This could be with your mate, your child, your dog, even the lawnmower. But when you stop pushing, let go and accept the situation (including the person, animal, or machine) for what it is, very often resolutions happen quite quickly and pretty soon changes occur.

It's very much the same with your body. As you make peace with how you look right this very minute, your focus softens allowing more room for movement and change. I know this isn't always the easiest shift to make. You could start out by promising yourself you will appreciate one thing about your body each day. After a couple of weeks, increase that to two things you appreciate. Try to move towards appreciating those "difficult" body parts. Notice how you feel about your body overall as you practice appreciation.

"Must Do" Diet Tip #2: Eat, drink & exercise with a spirit of self- and body-love.

As you do this emotion work coming to a place of acceptance and peace with your body as it is, you're still going to be eating, drinking and possibly engaging in physical exercise or movement. Stay tuned in and make each food, drink or exercise choice with mindfulness. You don't have to meditate as you engage in these activities-- unless you want to-- but stay aware of what you are doing and how you are feeling around it.

For example, perhaps you went out to dinner last night and ate foods that you perceive as high in fat and calories. This morning, you set out to spend a long session at the gym to "make up for" that "indulgent" dinner. STOP RIGHT THERE! Take a few moments to shift your feelings about what you ate last night and what you feel compelled to do today as penance for it. Remind yourself that this is a new moment and that eating certain foods is not something bad to punish yourself for. You might also remember how good you feel when you exercise. Now, from this place of feeling good, head off to the gym.

When you bring a spirit of self and body love to whatever you do, whether it's eating, drinking, exercising or sitting there reading a book, you will enhance the experience. You can open yourself wide to the amazing benefits of choices made with awareness and love.

As you begin to make peace with your body as it is, you may also find the acts of consuming certain foods and drinks and moving your body less emotionally charged. You may notice that you judge yourself less and feel more open to possibilities. In fact, you might realize that you feel happier and more at peace with your life overall. And, you may also begin walking around in the body you've always wanted. Enjoy!
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Amy Phillips-Gary is a free-lance writer, homeschool mom and personal growth adventurer.

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Susie and Otto Collins are Relationship Coaches and authors of 4 books on relationships and personal growth. To get their FREE weekly newsletter filled with practical tips and ideas for creating more connected, passionate and alive relationships send a blank message to mailto:collins@aweber.com 
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