- Why do the biggest percentage of
people who are on diets fail to reach their target weight?
- Why do people who reach their
target weight, put it all back on again?
- Why do overweight people visit
so many dietitians and read so many diet books, but are still overweight?
People intending to embark on a
diet should get answers to all the above questions before they enter any dietary
programs.
After many diet attempts, and with
the assistance of several dietitians, and many hours of reading, I have
concluded that our efforts for losing weight is only 15% of the whole process.
The other 85% is to educate ones self in the art of cooking, observing and
handling food. Losing weight is EXTREMELY DIFFICULT and very time consuming, not
to mention dedication, will power and total commitment. Imagine how difficult
the rest must be…
Perhaps dietitians should spend
more time explaining the importance of how to handle food and less on weight
loss. Losing weight heals the cause but not the problem.
In the long run, diets that
include only simple foods, with dull flavors, drive people to binge
eating and in cases that the patient/client has a lot of
weight to lose, this tactic will result in only half the weight loss
target.
When one has reached their target
weight, it is thought this is the final achievement, but it is not, it’s only
the beginning. Most people I know who have been on diets tend to regain all the
weight they have lost over a short period of time. I, myself have experienced
this over the past 30 years.
What we actually need is a dietary
program that includes smart, thoughtful cooking recipes which will offer us the
pleasure, without the guilt of the extra calories. Eating raw, boiled or grilled
food regularly with a salad as a side dish, is frustrating!! I discovered that
there are recipes, low in calories, which offer satisfaction in preparing them
and more importantly in eating them. I discovered that the reason I
failed with my diets all these years was the fact that I was feeling guilty to
eat foods which were delicious in taste. Now, I now that I can have delicious
dishes with fewer calories, and still lose weight. Now I know that I can
succeed.
Feeling so stressed about my continual failures, in August 2011, I
decided to put my new strategy to the test … I am now almost mid-way through
achieving my goal and things are getting seriously difficult. The difference is
that now things look more promising, because this dietitian is more open to new
suggestions.
Success for me is not only to lose
the excess weight but to educate myself in how to handle food; how to cook it,
and how to eat it – guilt free.
If I manage to think healthily I
will stay healthy, and I have found this to be a fact!
Why do most diets fail? Coz "I dream of Cakes"..OK JUST KIDDING! Well, my theory is that food tastes better and better as we age.And that's the temptation we fight daily. The practical theory is simple - eat whatever you want but in moderation and exercise a bit more than that to ward off the Calorie Monster.God made for need, not greed.
ReplyDeleteOf course I "Dream of Cakes", but now I try to dream of a lighter version of cakes :-)!!!
DeleteAh, Soufflés, you mean ...ahahahaha!
DeleteThis was not exactly what I meant, but if that suits you it is fine with me :-) :-) :-)!!!
DeleteI am very glad that I had a wonderful dietician. He asked me what I wanted to eat and together we planned the menu following the Mediterranean Diet. I have lost 18 kilos (about 4 kilos a month) and am very proud that during the Christmas holidays (Mid December to Mid January) I did not gain more than a kilo. As Girl Cook Art said above the key to weight loss is everything in moderation and some exercise. In a couple of months I will publish a second cookbook with recipes I made during my diet and my dietician will also contribute in the scientific part of the book.
ReplyDeleteMy dearest Ivy, I will be the 1st to buy this new cookbook of yours. I am sure that it is going to be perfect!!
DeleteI agree, it's very hard to lose weight, but definitely not impossible. I lost 40 pounds and I'm only 17 years old. I've kept it off for a couple of years now and I couldn't be happier. All you have to do is stick to the basics, there's no 3 step diet or whatever, it's simply just eating healthy, exercising daily, and staying motivated. You can achieve anything, it can be really hard and difficult, but once you're motivated enough, you'll be able to do anything!
ReplyDeleteI couldn't agree more with all of you. However, there is a simple metabolism formula, as I call it: if you want to maintain weight, calories IN = calories OUT. If you want to loose some kilos/pounds, well, then it comes down to thorough counting: calories IN have to be less then calories you burn. For that I didn't go on a diet, I changed my lifestyle.
ReplyDeleteThanks for a great post!
I hate the word "diet". I really don't think anything but "life changes" prove successful for sustaining healthy weight and balanced fitness. It's a commitment, as with most things that you really want, and it's not always easy. But when we make changes and commit to incorporating those changes into our daily ritual, we're successful.
ReplyDeleteBut I'll tell ya.... if you keep you making those GORGEOUS cakes, we'll all fail ;)
I am so happy you found my blog! My aim as a dietitian is to provide tasty recipes that are healthy, hope you find more recipes to try!
ReplyDeleteI am happy I found your blog too! I am sure your recipes will be valuable...!
DeleteCONGRATS to you for taking initiative and achieving your goals! You are an inspiration!!!! :D
ReplyDeleteThanks Tiffany!
DeleteLosing weight at my age has been difficult, but the small amount that I've taken off has been so motivating! I'm feeling better and I'm actually more active which has encouraged me even more. I agree - cooking and making healthy options MUST Be considered!
ReplyDeleteThat's why I like your blog so much Ann. Your recipes are delicious and healthy as well!
DeleteStress and having children never help. It took me nearly 3 years to drop the weight of baby #2, and it took me 7 days to lose more than i gained with baby #1.
ReplyDeleteI agree that being more educated about food is important. Its also crazy how many calories you can save by just making certain things yourself, like salad dressings, even burger patties. Simple substitutions like margarine for butter, lite sour cream for mayonnaise, skim milk for homo (They taste virtually the same).
Its my goal this year aswell to drop some extra weight i've been lugging around. Best of luck, I hope us both the success we're hoping for!
Thank you so much for your nice comments. Good luck to us both then :-)!
DeleteWhat an inspiring post! You're going to make it - you've set achievable goals and have such a great support system behind you! =)
ReplyDeleteI strongly believe in what you write! I believe it is so hard not only to loose weight but to lead a healthy life! We must change patterns, perceptions, behavior and approaches to food, cooking, exercise and you are so right when you say dietitians should spend more time teaching us on so many other things than just handing us a meal plan. Great post :D
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for your comments. I feel better to know that I am not alone in this... :-)
DeleteEight years ago I got rid of 43 pounds and have kept them gone. I did not look at the change as a diet, I looked at it as a lifestyle change. Eight years later it is still my lifestyle. I enjoy planning and preparing healthy meals. Good luck to you in your adventure.
ReplyDelete