So here we go. The New Year approaches and the diet chatter is increasing. Everybody’s choosing plans, making resolutions and getting ready to start measuring their bits and counting their stuff. If you are one of these folks, I’m going to ask you to reconsider. I’m going to ask you to do something completely radical. I’m going to ask you NOT to go on a diet.
When we decide to go on a diet, we are committing to a temporary state of restriction, usually in an attempt to achieve some sort of numerical change – a smaller waistline, a lower reading on the scale, a smaller clothing size. When we commit to a temporary state of restriction, we are admitting to the foregone conclusion that the results of that restriction – the number drop – will also be a temporary phenomenon.
You cannot return to the way you normally eat and maintain those lower numbers. It doesn’t work. If you’ve made this particular resolution in the past, you already know this is true. Simply restricting what you eat also doesn’t guarantee that the food that you DO eat will actually nourish you.
When we decide to change the way that we eat, we are committing to a higher level of consciousness about what we eat in an attempt to eat food that is more healthful, that provides our bodies with more of what they require; a body that is getting what it needs is far less likely to torment us with the cravings that often drive us to eat unhealthy foods.
When we decide to change the way we eat, we are committing to caring for our bodies and our health, and are therefore also committing to caring for those around us who love us and cherish us. When we decide to change the way that we eat, we open ourselves to the joy of living healthfully and the adventure of eating new and abundant real foods. And so I ask you, on this auspicious occasion, NOT to diet, but to change the way you eat. Eat Food, Real Food.
Big Sis and I have spent a lot of time this year talking about Baby Steps to Better Health. Maybe you missed it; maybe you weren’t ready; maybe you already think you eat well and weren’t interested in making a change. But now it’s coming – that resolution moment – that moment when so many of us get a little honest about our habits and find a little motivation to make some change. If that’s you, and you’re ready, we’d like to invite you to join us taking Baby Steps to Better Health.
We’ll do a recap of the steps we’ve already covered. We’ll get you started. We’ll help you figure out what to eat and show you how to make it super yum. If you’re ready, we’ll help you take those steps that will get you eating and feeling great in a way that works for YOU, with changes that YOU choose according to YOUR timeframe.
This is YOUR plan; it’s YOUR body. YOU should be the one to decide what to put in it, thoughtfully and consciously, using ingredients that aren’t invented in a lab. And you will find that the food you put in that body can be both succulent and healthful, both sublime and invigorating, both yummy and nourishing. Because real food is delish and it does your body good. Don’t diet; Eat Food, Real Food.
I completely agree. I also think that this is a terrible time of year to force yourself into making a change. Make it when you are ready and not when pressured by society and the calendar, because it is far more likely to be successful when you are ready to make the change.
PREACH!!! I love it. So many people are going to be calorie counting and popping fat burners to shed a bit of weight. Instead of focusing on the calorie count, people need to focus on how the food is fuelling them!
My hubby and I have been conscious about healthier eating for awhile now, but we decided to “bust” the carbs in our diet down to a minimal amount about three months ago. We’ve been amazed at the weight-loss, the higher energy level, and how much better we feel. We are reaching the point where we don’t even want any of those carb-laden foods. Our son is the contributing Chef for a new cookbook titled ‘True Food’ by Dr. Andrew Weil. It’s all about using “fresh” always, “organic” as much as possible, and letting the true taste of the food be the “star” instead of altering it with stuff you don’t need. Restricting carbs is so much easier than counting calories. Hooray for already having taken that step to a healthier life for 2013!
Here’s to greater health in 2013! Counting calories has never been something I could do for any length of time. Trying new and healthier foods and experimenting with new recipes – THAT I can get into. Thanks for stopping by!
There’s something about using that New Year date to motivate that makes us lose all of our common sense about how we best learn, grow, change. So nice to see you Karen!
Big hearty amen! Since I’m new to your blog, I missed the series. Looking forward to going through them with you guys. There’s always something to learn about real food, and always something new to try.
Amen! I’ve always shirked the idea of dieting. Its all so phony and I really question some of the healthiness of some of these popular diet plans. Thank you for voicing this!
I wasted a lot of time dieting when I was younger. So wish I’d seen the light earlier. It is so nice to have a better handle on my health (and my handles 😉 ). Thanks for stopping by!
I have been eating like this for a long time. I wouldn’t say I am perfect at it but I eat real food almost all the time. There are a lot of great cook books out there.
EAT REAL FOOD!!!! It’s like a battle cry against the excessive dieting of our culture! Don’t you just want to say that to every person you pass at the grocery store who is filling their basket with “lite” and “sugar-free” and “diet” and “non-fat.”
This is exactly what I am trying to do. So great to read such a nicely written post about it. It’s always good to have affirmation of what I am trying to do! Visiting from the Get School Saturday link party. Thanks for sharing!
This is great! It makes so much sense to me to eat real food and get healthier instead of going on a restrictive diet. I wish I could convince some of my friends and family members of the same, though. Thanks for the post!
Our pleasure Erin! We’ve all got friends and family members we’d like to convince… I try to just feed them really well when I see them and hope it will rub off. 😉
I completely agree. I also think that this is a terrible time of year to force yourself into making a change. Make it when you are ready and not when pressured by society and the calendar, because it is far more likely to be successful when you are ready to make the change.
Agreed! Thanks for stopping by Jackie!
PREACH!!! I love it. So many people are going to be calorie counting and popping fat burners to shed a bit of weight. Instead of focusing on the calorie count, people need to focus on how the food is fuelling them!
Thanks Erin! I don’t miss those counting days at all! I hate seeing people gear up to do it to themselves again.
My hubby and I have been conscious about healthier eating for awhile now, but we decided to “bust” the carbs in our diet down to a minimal amount about three months ago. We’ve been amazed at the weight-loss, the higher energy level, and how much better we feel. We are reaching the point where we don’t even want any of those carb-laden foods. Our son is the contributing Chef for a new cookbook titled ‘True Food’ by Dr. Andrew Weil. It’s all about using “fresh” always, “organic” as much as possible, and letting the true taste of the food be the “star” instead of altering it with stuff you don’t need. Restricting carbs is so much easier than counting calories. Hooray for already having taken that step to a healthier life for 2013!
Here’s to greater health in 2013! Counting calories has never been something I could do for any length of time. Trying new and healthier foods and experimenting with new recipes – THAT I can get into. Thanks for stopping by!
Thanks for sharing your views on dieting. I agree and I will strive to eat healthier and feed my family healthier this year. ;o)
Here’s to a new year of healthful eating – and thanks for stopping by!
Love your blog! I would love for you to visit my linky party going on now at http://wallisfarmsdailywalk.blogspot.com/2013/01/blog-post.html
Have a great day!
Thanks Vikki! We’ll check it out!
All the people who go on radical diets would be so much better off doing the baby steps approach.
There’s something about using that New Year date to motivate that makes us lose all of our common sense about how we best learn, grow, change. So nice to see you Karen!
Thanks for linking to a Round Tuit!
Hope you have a fabulous week!
Jill @ Creating my way to Success
http://www.jembellish.blogspot.com/
Great info! I would love to have you share your posts on The HomeAcre Hop!
http://www.theselfsufficienthomeacre.com/2013/01/the-homeacre-hop-2.html
Thanks! We’ll check it out.
A great concept, one I intend to embrace. Thanks for including this post at Foodie Friday.
Thank YOU for hosting such a lovely link party!
sing it sister!
Loud and strong!
Big hearty amen! Since I’m new to your blog, I missed the series. Looking forward to going through them with you guys. There’s always something to learn about real food, and always something new to try.
Thanks for sharing this at Motivation Monday!
Thanks Barb! We’ll be posting a catch up post sometime this week. Love your link party!
Amen! I’ve always shirked the idea of dieting. Its all so phony and I really question some of the healthiness of some of these popular diet plans. Thank you for voicing this!
I wasted a lot of time dieting when I was younger. So wish I’d seen the light earlier. It is so nice to have a better handle on my health (and my handles 😉 ). Thanks for stopping by!
I have been eating like this for a long time. I wouldn’t say I am perfect at it but I eat real food almost all the time. There are a lot of great cook books out there.
Agreed. And so many great folks online! Thanks so much for stopping to chat!
This is so true. I tell people all the time for me it’s a lifestyle change. No way am I perfect now, it’s a work in progress!
Always a work in progress, and amazing the ground you’ve already covered. Thanks so much for stopping by!
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EAT REAL FOOD!!!! It’s like a battle cry against the excessive dieting of our culture! Don’t you just want to say that to every person you pass at the grocery store who is filling their basket with “lite” and “sugar-free” and “diet” and “non-fat.”
EAT REAL FOOD!!!!!
🙂
Yes, yes I do! 🙂
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This is exactly what I am trying to do. So great to read such a nicely written post about it. It’s always good to have affirmation of what I am trying to do! Visiting from the Get School Saturday link party. Thanks for sharing!
You’re so welcome Tasha. Thanks for stopping by!
This is great! It makes so much sense to me to eat real food and get healthier instead of going on a restrictive diet. I wish I could convince some of my friends and family members of the same, though. Thanks for the post!
Our pleasure Erin! We’ve all got friends and family members we’d like to convince… I try to just feed them really well when I see them and hope it will rub off. 😉
Thanks so much for sharing them with Wednesday’s Adorned From Above Link Party.
Have a great week.
Debi and Charly @ Adorned From Above
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