Diets Suck!

I don't seem to go a day without hearing a declaration from a friend that they are tired of being unhealthy, want to lose weight and have "decided to go on a diet".
I've heard it all - all-greens diet, no fat diet, no carb diet, even the pumpkin & bacon only diet - the list goes on and on.
And the thing these all have in common?? They involve restriction and a drastic change that is simply not sustainable as a lifestyle.

The problem is when people go on "diets" and set weight goals, there is the preconceived idea that there will be an end date on said diet - and most of the time, this end date will not even be reached because the constant restriction faced leads to a binge. This binge leads to another, then another and finally the towel will be thrown in and you'll revert back to the way you were eating before.
And why would you want to stay on your diet - you hated every minute, every meal was a struggle and dreams of cakes and fried chicken haunted you in your sleep.

So what to do instead??
I swear by the techniques below, as well as consistent exercise, to maintain a healthy weight. As an IBS-sufferer, I have to be wary of certain foods, and do follow a semi-Low FODMAP diet - I try to limit gluten, dairy, garlic and onion. HOWEVER, I can tell you, without a shadow of doubt, that I absolutely adore the foods I eat and rarely feel like I'm restricting myself. It has been a process to get to where I am now, but it is most definitely achievable. 

Change your mind-set around "healthy food"

Probably the first and most important place to start is to change your mindset around what you consider as healthy food. Let's try something - what's the first thing that comes to your mind when I mention "health food"? Is it a bowl of steamed broccoli? A dried cruskit? Brussel sprouts?
If one of those, or something equally unappetizing is the first thing that comes to mind, it's no wonder you don't want to eat that way! I wouldn't either!
What if I told you, you could eat cookies, cakes, nachos, chicken teriyaki, burgers and use them to fuel your body optimally, lift your energy, improve your skin AND potentially lose weight?
There are TONNES of healthy alternatives for your favourite foods out there & an abundance of ways to find inspiration on the internet.

Some of my favourites are sweet potato nachos, spaghetti bolognaise and chocolate brownies made with kidney beans. 

Cut the Crap

One of the major problems plaguing our generation, and something that has been blamed time & time again for the obesity crisis, is sugar. Studies have shown that sugar is more addictive than cocaine, and if this is really the case, then it's no wonder that one m&m is never enough. 

If you have seen "That Sugar Film" & "Fed-up" (and if you haven't I highly recommend the watch), you'll know that large corporations like Coca-cola are pumping their products full of sugar so that we are never satisfied & continually want more, more, more. And that's the issue, these empty calories are being consumed - do nothing to help us feel full, but majorly impact the scale if eaten (or drunk) in excess.
If there is one thing I would recommend cutting out of your diet or at least limiting, it's refined sugar & fizzy drinks. Once you do, you'll actually be able to listen to your body and will have a far better idea about when you are full and when you are hungry.
Use the advice from the previous point - if you fancy a fizzy drink, try a kombucha or better yet, water flavored with a squeeze of lemon.

Forget about "Non-Fat" & Diet Products
Marketing is so clever these days, and so many of us are sucked in by products that claim to be non-fat or low-calorie. However, this almost always means the ingredient missing has been replaced by extra sugar or products with numbers and symbols for names. I live by the rule - if I can't pronounce an ingredient or it doesn't sound like food, don't eat it!! 
A great general rule to have is to shop the perimeter of the supermarket - and of course, the spice aisle! Construct your meals with WHOLE foods, and flavor them with spices and sauces or dressings YOU have made, or that have the least processed ingredients. You would be amazed at the hidden sugars and bizarre ingredients in packaged sauces these days!

Build a Habit

Change is scary, and habits are hard to break, but it can be done & new habits will be formed. 
If you are used to cocoa pops for breakfast, chances are that the first few days you swap this out for oatmeal it will be a bit of a challenge, but after a week or two this will become the norm (promise!!). And again, oatmeal doesn't have to be bland and boring - add some cacao powder, banana and fresh chopped dates (and keep a look out for lots more breakfast recipes to come).

Don't Focus on Calories (but do be mindful of a few foods)
Yes, there is a science around weight & if you are trying to lose it, there will be some attention required around portion sizes and calories in versus calories out. However, fixating on calories is never a good idea, as again it leads to a feeling of restriction. Also, one calorie does not always equal one calorie.
For instance, there is around 260 calories in a snickers bars. There is also 260 calories in 10 walnuts. But one contains preservatives, refined sugars, and processed ingredients, the other is just nuts. Get the picture?
At the same time, it is good to know of foods that can be calorie killers, and if you like to eat a lot of food, you can still keep your calorie intake in check, just by being mindful of a few ingredients. Did you know you can add over 100 calories to your meal just with 1 tablespoon of olive oil? That's the same as eating 10 baby carrots and two tablespoons of hummus! 

Work around YOUR life
What works for one, does not work for all, so it's important to be flexible and build a lifestyle that suits you - that's why it's called a lifestyle! There is always a way, and you don't have to follow the exact same routine as your thin-spiration or that fitness blogger with 1 million followers to be able to get results.
Don't have the luxury of time on a weekday morning or in the evening? Set aside an hour to meal prep on the weekend or make sure the meals you choose are quick and easy to prepare.

Don't like oatmeal for breakfast? Eat eggs instead

And finally... Everything in moderation

Once you have a pretty good idea about which foods best serve you in terms of calorie content, protein, fat and carbohydrates, and have found foods that best serve you & ensure optimal health, that's awesome! When the weekend rolls around and your best mate invites you over for a BBQ, don't feel like you have to say no; or forgo a glass of wine or two. Life was made to be enjoyed & we need to take our opportunities to socialise, laugh & thrive.

At the end of the day, your body is the only one you've got, and it's SO important that you look after it, but at the same time, you don't want to go through life in misery. So make health a priority, and construct a lifestyle that best serves both your mind and your body. 

**Please keep in mind that I am not a nutritionist or health professional. This blog represents my opinions and what works for me. I have gathered knowledge from an abundance of sources over the last few years and put together the above information based on that knowledge**