If there is one thing you can count on at the beginning of a new year it’s dieting. It makes sense. The new year is the perfect time to resolve to lose that extra ten pounds. To get healthy. To turn over a new leaf. But mostly, I think it’s because we all wind up feeling like big slobs after pigging out from Thanksgiving to Christmas.
And that’s totally ok.
I did it. I ate a lot over the holidays. Actually, I tend to eat a lot anyway. I like food. I like shopping for it, cooking it, smelling it, and eating it. Lots of it. Sometimes, when my pants are a little more snug than last time I put them on it shows.
And that is totally not ok.
But I refuse to diet. I hate when I hear that friends are starting diets. Diets don’t really work. You can’t eat only protein shakes and vegetable broth for the rest of your life. You can’t swear off cookies and lattes forever. Despite what the diet industry would like us to believe, you can’t buy packaged meals from Jenny Craig until you retire. You can’t have “a shake for breakfast, a shake for lunch, and a sensible dinner” every day for forever. You might think you can right now, but in the long run you won’t be able to manage it perfectly forever.
Case in point: how often do/did you forget to take your birth control pill? It’s just one pill, once a day, every day right? How hard can it be? Raise your hand if you have an ‘oops’ child. (Or not, keep your secret safe.)
So here’s my advice: eat real food and get off your arse. That’s it. For most people that’s enough to remain healthy. Your not going to win any marathons doing it – but you will be healthy. Instead of having a candy bar, have an apple once in a while. Learn to cook real food from scratch as much as possible. You’ll feel better, I promise.
Don’t bother with all the health food fads like shakes, paleo, vegan, Atkins. And don’t eat any yucky stuff either. Quinoa and almond butter are disgusting. Cheeseburgers taste good. Just don’t eat them every day. Seriously, if you can’t enjoy what you’re eating what’s the point? Just have less. Or work out a little more when you eat cheesecake.
And stop comparing yourself to celebrities. They don’t look like that either.
hahaha! I knew she looked like an alien!!
LOL I 10000% agree! I actually like quinoa, but that;s besides the point. Diets suck. They don’t work. Get off your booty, do some Wii Dance 4, eat a cheeseburger (once a month) and be freakin happy and as healthy as you can be!
Quad CIties 5k Color Run in 3 months, woo hoo!
That “learn to make real food from scratch” comment was for me, wasn’t it! I’m working on it. Sheesh.
Bravo. I hate ” get healthy” as a resolution. It’s so subjective! Set a real goal folks!
And yes, it’s a lifestyle. Not a ” eh, my pants officially don’t fit anymore so it’s time to diet” thing.
Oh, but I like quinoa. We use it in place of rice
I’m fist pumping and yelling, “Tell it, sister!”
I lost 30kg (66lb) in 6 months through the simple act of exercising 30 minutes a WEEK (not a day) and reducing the portion size of everything I ate. I still ate cheeseburgers, chocolate, and all the other yummy stuff. I just ate a cheeseburger OR fries, and one piece of chocolate instead of one packet of chocolate.
(Oh, and I still drank wine. There’s always enough calories for wine.)
Also, I’m still really proud of losing 30kg and keeping it off for over 12 months. So please excuse the almost humble brag.
I’m totally with you. Diets are bull. And anyone who throws around diet buzzwords is already several steps behind in my book. (I know. I’m sorry. That’s terrible.) The worst, however, is when someone loses weight and they become brother Malcolm X and Mother Theresa all rolled into one, the ones who never shut up, preaching their changed ways to anyone with ears. Those are the people fall the fastest and the hardest, though. Sometimes that entire spectacle is worth watching (Yes, I realize I may be a little cranky. Haven’t finished my tea yet.)
Great advice! Although I am trying to eat healthier, more veggies and smaller portions. Someday once I get some sleep I plan on working out again. But for now I am going to control eating. And hopefully going off birth control will let me lose a few pounds.
Thanks for posting that “blubber” shot of Julia Roberts, although her horse teeth kind of deflect anything else. As for dieting, I totally agree. Diets suck – they don’t let you drink beer.
i think im in love with nami!!!!
Totally agree Bridgit! Except about the quinoa…I love that stuff.
I hate shopping for and cooking food.
But smelling it and eating it? Oh yeah. I’m in.
So no diets for me. And there isn’t a single thing I refuse to let myself eat. If I want it, I have it. Just maybe not fifteen pounds of it. Every day.
And yep. I have an oops baby.
Was I supposed to raise my hand or keep it a secret?
Dude. I LOVE quinoa. Why you gotta go there?
(I am literally in my workout clothes procrastinating on the interwebs instead of exercising!)
I decided last year that what we were putting in our bodies as a family was killing us. Although my hubby’s doctor told him he needed more grease.. hello we are southern how on hades do we need more grease?? I am cooking at home more often and maybe not the best meals but they are good and I know what is in them.
This post should come with a snack, ’cause now I’m starving!
i have tried all your ways of eating and still can not put on weight ! what can i do ? ///
I couldn’t agree more!
I agree, with most of this, although a couple of detoxes a year are good, I think. Also, quinoa is yummy! (cheeseburgers are yummier)
And I am living proof that diets don’t work, learned that this year, and nothing has ever made me happier!
Good thoughts – portion size was the key for me – 2-3 bites instead of 8 or 9. Quinoa is a vehicle for other flavors – nothing more or less.
Sooooooooooooooo agree!!! Being active makes a big difference… gym, walk, mowing the lawn/shoveling the driveway (which totally counts as a workout). My get healthy goal is less processed food and more of the fresh stuff. I haven’t worked up the nerve to try quinoa yet though!
Actually, I like quinoa. I have it in the winter time for breakfast with my oats. Am I weird?