When thinking about weight loss and healthy eating, you probably
know by now that sustainability is the most important part when choosing
a diet. How does one actually know what counts as sustainable? I did
some thinking and came up with the following points that you should keep
in mind when measuring sustainability.
1. Know what you want
The first thing when you start eating healthy is knowing why you're doing it. Do you have inflammation problems, allergy, chronic illnesses that you want gone or you just simply want to lose weight (the latter may help eliminate the formers by itself)?
2. It shouldn't be too strict
What's the main reason people fail at dieting? They lose motivation, because the rules they have set were too strict and they couldn't keep to them. It's clear that humans are not rational beings, we "rationalize things" instead. We are controlled be our emotions. Despite what all the Spartan wannabe coach figures say, you don't have to test your willpower when dieting.
10-20% of them time, you can eat the all the moderately unhealthy stuff you want (that is when you don't feel like eating anything, but those cookies or at social events, when you don't feel like turning down invitations).
Remember the 20/80 principle, 20% of what you eat causes 80% of the bad stuff. If you read my guide, you what that 20% is (dairy and carbs, and yes, the number isn't exactly 20%, but you get me).
3. Is it time, money and energy efficient?
Counting calories or spending hours preparing the meals is not going to help when you get busy in everyday life (unless you're full-time housewife).
By following my "no dairy and less simple carbs" principle and eating more natural foods instead, you will greatly reduce calories while not starving or wasting a lot of precious time.
Dieting shouldn't be complex and it shouldn't give you headaches (perhaps a little in the beginning, but definitely not in the long term).
4. It should have clear rules, and minimal gray areas
You should always know when you eat something if it's bad or not (is it natural or not is a good guideline).
Getting stuck up if this food has too much of this and that in it, or you know Dr. Nutrichard said that those are really bad and you definitely shouldn't eat that, while that other expert claims the opposite thing is true, well this is only causing confusion, isn't it?
5. Is it efficient, successful in bringing you closer to your desired goal?
If you have to spend lots of energy and you don't see results, you lose motivation, you lose the incentive. But if you spend minimal efforts (by following my advice for example), and see that you are losing weight steadily week after week, while not paying so much attention to dieting at all, you will be delighted.
If you choose some other "healthy way" to weight loss, always keep in mind how much you have to invest and what are the possible returns.
6. The question "why?" should be answered, in a genuine way
The Paleo diet seemed the first genuine diet that I first met back then, because it explains the reason behind things (although not all are true, that's why it's important to read critics).
I like doing things if I know why I have to do them, it motivates me. If someone tells me do this, just because he tells me (common behaviour among bodybuilders, although there are exceptions) I won't be doing it as good as I could.
7. Will it be as true 15 years from now, as it is now?
This is an important reason why I don't advertise specific diets all the time, instead I use principles (like the more natural the better) that is probably always going to be correct.
Conclusion
These are the details that you should always pay attention to. By keeping these tips on healthy eating in mind, you will lower the chances of failure.
A short summary of the page:
1. Know what you want
2. It shouldn't be too strict
3. Is it time, money and energy efficient?
4. It should have clear rules, and minimal gray areas
5. Is it efficient or successful in bringing you closer to your desired goal?
6. The question "why?" should be answered, in a genuine way
7. Will it be as true 15 years from now, as it is now?
1. Know what you want
The first thing when you start eating healthy is knowing why you're doing it. Do you have inflammation problems, allergy, chronic illnesses that you want gone or you just simply want to lose weight (the latter may help eliminate the formers by itself)?
2. It shouldn't be too strict
What's the main reason people fail at dieting? They lose motivation, because the rules they have set were too strict and they couldn't keep to them. It's clear that humans are not rational beings, we "rationalize things" instead. We are controlled be our emotions. Despite what all the Spartan wannabe coach figures say, you don't have to test your willpower when dieting.
10-20% of them time, you can eat the all the moderately unhealthy stuff you want (that is when you don't feel like eating anything, but those cookies or at social events, when you don't feel like turning down invitations).
Remember the 20/80 principle, 20% of what you eat causes 80% of the bad stuff. If you read my guide, you what that 20% is (dairy and carbs, and yes, the number isn't exactly 20%, but you get me).
3. Is it time, money and energy efficient?
Counting calories or spending hours preparing the meals is not going to help when you get busy in everyday life (unless you're full-time housewife).
By following my "no dairy and less simple carbs" principle and eating more natural foods instead, you will greatly reduce calories while not starving or wasting a lot of precious time.
Dieting shouldn't be complex and it shouldn't give you headaches (perhaps a little in the beginning, but definitely not in the long term).
4. It should have clear rules, and minimal gray areas
You should always know when you eat something if it's bad or not (is it natural or not is a good guideline).
Getting stuck up if this food has too much of this and that in it, or you know Dr. Nutrichard said that those are really bad and you definitely shouldn't eat that, while that other expert claims the opposite thing is true, well this is only causing confusion, isn't it?
5. Is it efficient, successful in bringing you closer to your desired goal?
If you have to spend lots of energy and you don't see results, you lose motivation, you lose the incentive. But if you spend minimal efforts (by following my advice for example), and see that you are losing weight steadily week after week, while not paying so much attention to dieting at all, you will be delighted.
If you choose some other "healthy way" to weight loss, always keep in mind how much you have to invest and what are the possible returns.
6. The question "why?" should be answered, in a genuine way
The Paleo diet seemed the first genuine diet that I first met back then, because it explains the reason behind things (although not all are true, that's why it's important to read critics).
I like doing things if I know why I have to do them, it motivates me. If someone tells me do this, just because he tells me (common behaviour among bodybuilders, although there are exceptions) I won't be doing it as good as I could.
7. Will it be as true 15 years from now, as it is now?
This is an important reason why I don't advertise specific diets all the time, instead I use principles (like the more natural the better) that is probably always going to be correct.
Conclusion
These are the details that you should always pay attention to. By keeping these tips on healthy eating in mind, you will lower the chances of failure.
A short summary of the page:
1. Know what you want
2. It shouldn't be too strict
3. Is it time, money and energy efficient?
4. It should have clear rules, and minimal gray areas
5. Is it efficient or successful in bringing you closer to your desired goal?
6. The question "why?" should be answered, in a genuine way
7. Will it be as true 15 years from now, as it is now?
And finally, if you are interested in Healthy Eating" in more detail, please check out Healthy Eating Directions at http://www.healthyeatingdirections.com.
Article Source:
http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Adam_Dimitrov
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