May 6th is International No Diet Day. When I first saw this, I thought, "SWEET! Let's have dessert!"
But then I started to read up on this holiday. What it is actually promoting is the idea of having a healthy relationship with food rather than focusing on whatever diet happens to be the trend right now as a way to lose weight. This day means we should be celebrating our health and body diversity, instead of trying to achieve the unrealistic air-brushed images we see of celebrities in magazines.
In 2012, I went on one of those diets-I followed the high-protein model of protein is good; all other food is your enemy. And yes, I did lose weight-plenty. But the following January, I saw my results from the biometric screening that was offered annually by my employer. My results were terrible. My weight was a fantastic number; one I hadn't seen for over 20 years. But my blood pressure and cholesterol readings were clear danger signals, and I knew something needed to change without delay.
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So I started to concentrate on my veggies. I drank green smoothies and watched some documentaries; "Forks Over Knives," for example. I read "The Blue Zones" by Dan Buettner. Also, I thought a lot about my relationship with food, which I always thought was a healthy one (I like you, you like me, sounds healthy to me!). Once I became more thoughtful, more mindful, about the food I consumed and what was in it, the more I found myself naturally turning away from those unhealthy choices. Bacon? Too many preservatives. Red meat? Too much risk to my cholesterol profile. Deli meat? See bacon.
Now, if I could just find a way to reduce my relationship with chocolate, I'd be in great shape!
All of this is why I have a personal goal of consuming a 95% plant-based diet.
In general, I just want to be smarter about the food choices I make, knowledgeable about what I am consuming, and able to see my food as friend, not foe.
Those are my goals, now what about yours? Anyone care to share their thoughts or goals regarding their relationship with food? I'd love to hear what you have to say. Please feel free to comment below!
Big Trouble
I have started reading The Blue Zone and it is such a good read! It's so hopeful and beautiful, yet sad how American culture negatively influences parts of the world that were thriving before we got there. Awesome book though. Thank you for the suggestion and for this post! I try to eat most vegetables as well. My weakness is not meat or carbs, but CANDY and SUGAR!
Sula
Ah yes, candy and sugar....I have the same weakness. If you find a cure, please let me know!