It seems like every time a new year rolls around, it is a “resolution” to lose weight and exercise.
I challenge you to not call it a resolution.
Resolutions are something we HAVE to do. Instead, look at this as something you are doing for yourself because you CAN. Once we get that out of the way, the big question is:
How to know what “diet” is best for you?
That’s where the confusion begins.
If I had a dime for every time I have heard someone over the past couple of years say, "I just don't know what to do," in relation to food and nutrition, I could have built up a small empire.
Types of Diets:
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Ketogenic
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South Beach
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Atkins
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Vegan
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Paleo
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Macrobiotic
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Mediterranean
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Volumetrics
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Raw Food
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Intermittent Fasting
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Pescatarian
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Abs Diet
The list goes on. There are hundreds of dietary theories out there and for every corner you turn, you'll hear someone else on some different diet. And it's funny - talk of which diet is the correct approach can be as volatile as politics!
But let's go back to the basic paradigm of dieting. There is only one right diet for your body. It's all about balancing your micro and macro nutrients into the perfect concoction of foods that fit your unique needs.
No two people are alike and therefore, no diet will work exactly the same for every person.
Sure, there are diets out there that will help you shave pounds fast with super restrictive eating and limiting the number of ingested calories in a day. But the fact is, 98% of people who lose weight on diets will gain the weight back - plus an extra 5-10 pounds.
This leads to the cycle of yo-yo dieting, destroyed metabolism and negative self-image.
There are so many dietary paradigms and beliefs, but I'll list out my top three for you.
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There are as many "right" diets as there are people on earth.
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The body has an innate wisdom, beyond any book or authority.
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Nourishing your body is about more than just food.
There are as many "right" diets as there are people on earth.
As I mentioned above, your body and metabolism are completely different to that of your neighbor or girlfriend. You have the best experimentation lab right at your own fingertips. There are so many ways to discover which foods give you energy and which take it away.
The body has an innate wisdom, beyond any book or authority.
Before all the above mentioned diets were created, before processed food, before farming, even, our ancestors knew what to eat and how much. It's interesting what happens when you get in tune with your body and what it is telling you, you will begin to follow it's natural rhythms and cycles. You'll begin identify the signs of hunger earlier and even identify when you're getting full so you can stop eating. Intuitive eating and honoring your body's innate wisdom will allow you to become in touch with what your needs and wants really are and not give into temptation and craving all the time.
Nourishment is about much more than just food.
I always stress that nourishment of the mind and collective soul is just as important as nutritional nourishment.
What do you have in your life that leaves you with unending joy and nourishes your soul and well-being? What do you do on a daily basis that allows you to lose yourself in the moment and time seems to stand still.
That nourishment of the soul is so deeply important to our overall well-being. People with nourished souls get sick less often, sleep better and generally have a more positive outlook on daily occurrences.
At the end of the day, we are all unique and special - so why doesn't it make sense that for each of us, there would be a unique diet? Eat for energy and fuel, indulge in food you love with a balance and know that what you're putting in your body plays extreme importance on your overall well-being.
About Wendy Sanacore, Guest Blogger & Empowerment Coach
If you’re interested in learning more about my 4-day energy experiment or how to nurture your body and soul through coaching, I’d love to talk to you! Contact me or visit Empowered Woman Wendy Sanacore is a guest blogger and a Certified Empowerment Coach who focuses on helping you live your best life. That includes both nutritional and mental well-being. Wendy is an advocate of loving yourself in order to love those around you and she works to help you get there. Her passion is to help you stretch past your comfort zone and live the life you imagine in your wildest dreams. Wendy is a fitness advocate, a half marathon runner and an avid yogi and believes in mind and body balance and nutrition. Contact Wendy to learn more about how she can help you uncover your goals and start living your best life.
