Diet-for-Thought

Albert Einstein once said "The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results".

It's quite obvious to me that our culture remains obsessed with dieting. I'm not talking balanced, long- term minded dieting but rather dieting beyond reason, becoming slaves to restriction, false control and the gratification seeing the scale move in a downward spiral brings. Along with this comes a whirlwind of hormonal fluctuations, starvation, and deprivation not just from food but from family and friends and let's not forget the ridiculous amounts of exercise. Why do people do this? Are they gluttons for self punishment? Is this truly the only way? Perhaps it's the only way they know how.

There is a false sense of control that comes with severe dieting. I think that's what appeals, at least temporarily, to the vast majority of extreme dieters -the feeling of conquering the painful hunger, being able to say no to temptation and running on such low energy. It makes one feel powerful, like a false strong will. But where do these people end up once the scale stops dropping or they have reached their short-term diet goal? Short-term goals in essence are great but what matters most is how one reaches the goal and then the steps they embark on after the goal is met. Time after time the dieter finds themselves back where they began. Yet another short term goal upon them that they once fulfilled. It worked once, they do it again. The ever popular yo-yo diet enslavement continues because they know no other way.

Is there another way? Are people afraid of long-term maintainable goals? Where does this fear of being incapable of embarking on a lifelong change come from? Change, that's what is needed. Change. Not small short-term change but rather a change of heart and purpose. It seems today there is an epidemic not only of obesity but commitment-phobia. People fall to the seduction of quick-fix, now now now, dieting propaganda that the media tries to lure us with.

I have watched endless times people "live it up" after the diet is over. After that short term goal is reached. They are not only of the physical and mental deprivation but the deep dark knowing that again they will face the same grueling challenge in the future again. The evil neurotic diet will return. They swing the pendulum from one extreme to the other. Where has the balance gone? What about the negative effects this has on our bodies and overall health? At what expense?

How does all this nonsense stop? Well as it's said "a little common sense goes a long way". Obviously extreme doesn't work. Committing to a more practical long-term way of sensible, healthy eating and exercise does. Do you really want to change? Commitment is a scary thing - it's as though people fear they'll lose the control they once had. Remember, it's false control. The reverse is true; you gain control of your health. Go ahead, dig your feet in and give yourself a break from this destructive bondage. Embrace the fact that it won't always be easy but was the previous diet easy? The reward of a long-term goal is incomparable to that of the endless rollercoasters of dieting. You sprinted. Now it is time to face a marathon. It's going to take some time but once you sign up, make the commitment and begin - there is no turning back.

You can make it happen. You have to let go of past dieting failures, and concentrate on the better way, the healthy way. The change of mind, body and attitude will evolve. You will be set free. My greatest advice is to seek help. When we have support and knowledgeable guidance, the journey somehow becomes enjoyable, doable and lifelong. Having a diet coach changes everything. A great coach goes beyond just basic knowledge and program design. A great coach is a positive mentor and leader who has a great passion for helping others. They never stop learning and evolving as a professional. They serve as a role model in mind, body and action. Erik Ledin is all of that and above. As not only my coach but a great friend, I fully put my trust in him. If you are ready to be set free from the dieting pit you've dug yourself in and are eager to know what it is really like to travel the road of lifelong change, then don't hold yourself back. Come into the light.

- Jennifer Hamilton

Posted Oct 19, 2008 by Erik Ledin.
This entry is filed under Contest Prep, Motivation, Beware! Scale Rant, and Training Journal.