Why diets don’t work.
Why I believe diets don’t work, to be specific.
We live in a world of so much information now. Everyone is a specialist in every category and everyday we get new information of what is good or bad for you.
Yet, what we don’t understand is that we live in a complex world where there is no such thing as bad or good, right or wrong.
Everyone has their own perception of life, especially health, according to how they were raised and their own specific circumstances.
Diets are made based on the disease that person has experienced and what has helped their body. What we forget to realize though is that no 2 bodies are the same. We are all so individually unique.
That is why diets do not work. They are a short temporary fix. If you do not find your own personal why, as to why you want to live a healthier lifestyle, and what works specifically for your own body, nothing will stick.
So let’s get back to the basics of health that has worked for centuries and is universally true.
1. Drink more (filtered) water
The average adult human body is made up of roughly 55%-60% water. Water carries oxygen and nutrients to our cells. It helps us digest and swallow our food.
It detoxes toxins out of our body. It regulates our body temperature. It is the primary building block of our cells . It lubricates your joints, keeps the beauty in your skin, aids in weight loss, gives you energy and so much more.
You can see why water is so important no matter who you are! My general rule of thumb is to drink an ounce of water per each pound that you weigh.
It is especially essential to stay hydrated when you are nursing – your body is working so hard to feed another human.
Signs you are dehydrated –
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- Chapped lips (this is the big indicator for me)
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- Dark yellow urine
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- Not peeing enough during the day
I challenge you to this – next time you are having some sort of craving, drink a full glass of water. Wait 10 minutes. Are you still hungry for that craving? Sometimes we mistake hunger for thirst.
Also, start your morning with a glass of water and squeeze half a lemon. During sleep, our bodies are doing a lot of work and during that work we get dehydrated. So the most loving thing you can do for your body first thing in the morning is to hydrate.
2. Add more whole fruits and vegetables to your plate
Why? They are major contributors of many nutrients that reduces the risk of disease. They are what keeps your organs going in the way they are supposed to. It reduces inflammation.
Your body and your health are the vehicles in this lifetime. Without it, you can’t do much at all.
Think about it – when you are feeling good, you are unstoppable. You can play with your kids, you chase after your dreams, and joy fills you up.
When you health is declining, you don’t have much energy, you physically can’t do certain things, you just want to lay down and not do much at all, and your mental health starts to decline.
3. Sleep
Sleep is so vital and crucial to our health, yet it gets overlooked. We live in a world where doing and not sleeping is encouraged and praised. Without proper sleep, our brains cannot function properly.
We need sleep to be alert and clear-headed – and as moms, boy do we need that with how many things we are juggling at once all day everyday!
When we’re well rested, we are also able to control our emotions and behavior. Think about our children when they do not get good sleep or the witching hour before bedtime.
They are so cranky and have many tantrums – we as adults are no different. Sleep reduces the risk of disease and keeps our immune system strong.
Last but not least, sleep deprivation is linked to over-eating because it affects the body’s ability to regulate appetite hormones.
Have I convinced you that sleep is important yet?!
4. Movement
Notice that I am not saying exercise or working out. Getting movement in everyday does not mean you have to go to the gym or take an exercise class.
Studies have shown that low impact movement for 30 minutes a day can change your life dramatically. Think about it, our ancestors didn’t go to HIIT classes.
They were walking, dancing, climbing, running, digging, squatting, and carrying things to survive. We might not have to run from tigers or hunt for food anymore but movement is wired in our brains as a critical aspect of how we engage in the world.
It gives us healthy joints, physical strength, balance, good circulation, cardiovascular health, improved concentration and learning skills, and many many more benefits.
If you can’t make it to a workout class, turn on the music and dance! Or go for a walk. Your body will be so thankful.
Speaking of tantrums and the witching hour – my FAVORITE thing to do with my kiddos is have a dance party while cooking dinner or after. It lifts everyone’s spirit up.
5. Stillness/Meditation/Prayer
Quieting your mind and instilling some sort of grateful practice has personally changed my everyday life, dramatically.
It can be meditation, prayer, just sitting quietly in the morning for 5 minutes stating what you are grateful for.
There is no right or wrong way of doing. It is scientifically proven that stillness and calm reduces stress, increases focus and concentration, increases self-awareness, and cultivates mindfulness (recognition and appreciation of the present moment).
I don’t know about you but as a busy, working mom, these are all things I need on a daily basis to function well. To be a good role model to my kids and to not spread myself so thin that I want to combust.
Sometimes going back to the basics and not making health so complicated is what we all need.
Tell me, what are your thoughts on this?
Thanks for being here.
Alejandra at Living Well Co.