The “Die” in Diet; The “Loss” in Weight Loss
We need to start taking the “die” out of diet and the “loss” out of weight loss. Mention the word “diet” today and people typically think about a selection of foods designed to slenderize; improve one’s overall health; or address a specific medical issue. Hopeful for that magic bullet, some go even further on the ingestible front attempting to speed things up by popping pills to take off the pounds.
The concept of dieting equates to deprivation in the minds of many folks—creating what many experts suggest dooms so many diet programs from the onset by focusing the would-be dieter on the “loss” in “weight loss”.
Beyond Our Daily Bread
Yet, according to the Oxford English Dictionary (the OED for us reference nerds) at least a century (and, according to other sources, arguably a millennium or so) before food intake was solely synonymous with the word, diet meant something that went beyond our daily bread, butter, etc.
Going as far back as early thirteenth-century Europe almost all the Latin-based languages and cultures (France, Spain, Portugal, Italy, and Romania) took their cue from the even older ancient Roman and Greek take on the word, when diet referred to a “course of life” or a “way of living or thinking”. In more modern parlance, we would call this a lifestyle.
Living the Life Lifestyle
Perhaps proving that what’s old can truly become what’s new, many modern gurus of gut-busting for that beach body or simply shedding some pounds for the long haul don’t focus on food alone. They incorporate mindset, exercise, and the patterns of our daily activities into programs that are designed to improve overall wellness which also look at how we fuel ourselves—changes which include what and how much we eat but go way beyond mere calorie counting.
Advice?—Yeah! We’ve Got That!
Sure, your great aunt Tilly and any number of other people in your life have plenty of unsolicited advice. From politics, to recipes, to health, and beyond, you don’t have to go far to get an earful.
But why rely on just regular folks when there’s so much star-powered enlightenment to guide you?
Certainly, a quick pass through your local bookstore proves that celebrities love to share their “expert” diet advice. From goji-berry-go-to gurus to vegan kindness to way more exotic and questionable choices, it’s out there! Most importantly, and perhaps somewhat disturbingly, you’re buying it!
Celebrity chefs are no exception. Whether relative newcomers or longtime fixtures, weighing in and cashing in are nothing new. Some, as we’ve noted elsewhere, have come under more scrutiny than others. Let’s not forget that more than a few of these folks are more “celebrity” than “chef”. Any culinary or nutritional training is often self-taught if taught at all. So, buyer beware, baby!
On the other hand, several television chefs have been motivated by more than the money. Their own illnesses or those of a loved one have made them contemplate a more health-conscious cuisine.
And then there are … you know … actual medical professionals.
Before You Know It, Those New Year’s Resolutions Are Gone, Baby, Gone!
Aside from star-power motivation, possibly the most common jumpstart for dietary change is simply the calendar.
Hope springs eternal as gym memberships and weight-loss program subscriptions surge each January. The springtime push for that perfect beach body sees the trend continue in spurts. However, whichever weight-loss calendar bandwagon one rides, hope and healthy intentions quickly fade as commitment wanes.
As Dr. Lori Shemek notes, “Each year throngs of people will make their annual New Year’s Resolutions only to find them slipping away a few weeks later. According to a study conducted by the University of Scranton, just 8 percent of people achieve their New Year’s resolutions, while around 80 percent fail to keep them.”
Attitude, a plan, and consistency are key to achieving basic weight-loss goals according to chef and nutrition specialist, Susan Irby. Commitment is critical, whether losing pounds or addressing medical conditions are at the heart of positive personal changes.
My Advice: One Size Doesn’t Fit All … but …
Go with what’s right for you!
Weight loss is not the only reason for a change in diet and lifestyle. Make sure you consider your overall health. Consider all your medical conditions before you begin a program. Many of these come with specific dietary choices for achieving optimum health. So, include your healthcare team in your decisions.
Further, ask yourself if your doctor is the best choice for creating your plan of action. Overweight and unknowledgeable are not a perfect pairing for great health advice. Is your healthcare provider a, “Do as I say; not as I do,” kind of practitioner? Does your primary physician have a solid grasp of your major health issues? Does your doctor have a medically sound understanding of the place of diet, exercise, and lifestyle in your life?
Important questions that too few folks take into consideration before they begin a diet, an exercise regimen, or any significant lifestyle change.
Consult additional professionals to complement what your current healthcare team provides you. Think about finding a registered dietician or nutritionist who has experience with someone who looks like you in terms of age, gender, medical conditions, and attitude.
“Lifestyle” could just be the health-craze, catch-word of the moment. It could also be a page from history that becomes the new norm for some time to come. Whatever the case, remember that healthcare and dietary decisions are not one-size-fits-all choices. Find one that fits you!
This article features excerpts from Ian Makay’s Food for Thought: The Pleasures of the Table: Primi Piatti.
How About YOU!
What’s your take on diet? Does it simply come down to calorie counting with an eye towards weight loss or is it about a lifestyle change? Are there any books, programs, or products that have worked for you?
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2 Responses
I agree with the experts in this blog post. Lifestyle and attitude matter as much as calories. Move it to lose it.
Lori and Susan are great! Please check out their websites and their books. It sounds like you’re on the same wavelength with them.