Happy Tuesday all! Hope everyone had a great Monday. My day was pretty relaxing, spent just getting prepared for the upcoming trip to Boston. So excited for this adventure!
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I have a confession, I still sometimes find myself living the life of a dieter.
Sometimes we aren’t conscious that we are participating in a “diet mindset“. A lot blogs, members of our families, friends, magazines, media, or specific diet/exercise plans have convinced us of specific food and exercise behaviours that aren’t necessarily healthy.
*Dinner; I have a ton of ripe avocados and veggies I need to use up before I go away, so my meals will consist largely on these things for the next couple of days. Its fine though, I don’t think I can get sick of roasted veggies.*
A majority of these plans have us label certain foods or even food groups as “good” or “bad”. If we eat foods we feel are “bad” it allows us participate in self hatred or judgements of ourselves. This screams unhealthy living!
Most times we are convinced that these things are truly healthy for us. We may think that it is okay be restrictive with the amount of food, or which foods we are “allowed” to eat.
We restrict ourselves to a certain schedule, not letting our bodies let us know when they are hungry by denying the feeling of hunger and not eating until a “designated” meal time.
*I roasted the broccoli slaw, zucchini, and tempeh in a combination of coconut oil, nutritional yeast, dill, and a few dashes of red pepper flakes. Of course, there’s the avocado on the side.*
Some consequences of suffering from a diet mindset include…
Black and White thinking
I have been there, setting strict goals for myself. If I deviated from these rules, I would make horrible judgements about myself and allowed negative thoughts and criticism to overcome my space.
Extreme Focus on Weight
Before and even during recovery, I was so focused on my weight that it became the main focus in my life. I would make decisions based on my current weight and felt that I was more deserving of “treats” or “unhealthy” foods because of this. I felt happy if the scale showed a lower number than the day before and always thought if I just lost “x” amount of pounds I’d finally be happy with myself.
*Afternoon snack; I used up the leftover coconut milk ice cream I had remaining and combined it with Kristin’s low calorie “ice cream” with apples and strawberries for some added crunch.*
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We need to become aware in how we are viewing the way we think we “should be” eating, exercising, looking, or feeling. Our society can easily influence us on unhealthy behaviours that claim are the next big miracle diet or workout routine. Which allows us to project their views and behaviours into our own lives.
How can we live a healthy lifestyle if we are setting unrealistic expectations for ourselves. If we don’t exercise, we shouldn’t judge ourselves as being fat or lazy. It’s unhealthy to exercise only because of fear of weight gain, or working out only because we fear we are being lazy.
*Fast forward to this mornings Breakfast; I made a bowl of overnight oat bran, seriously I’m obsessed! 1/3 cup oat bran, 2 tablespoons coconut flour, 1/3 cup egg whites, 1 tablespoon chia seeds, 1/3 cup pumpkin, stevia, cinnamon, and raw cashew butter to top it off.*
The important thing is to focus on exercise and nutrition for the benefits it gives to our health.
If we are extremely focused on any of the above things, our minds are stuck in this food obsession. It’s therefore impossible to develop a positive relationship with our bodies. It’s a healthy thing to leave behind the diet thoughts and behaviours with no restrictions to what we eat.
Full control comes from being in complete trust in ourselves with any food, in any situation. Trust your body; this creates the intention to overcome unhealthy eating habits.
Remind yourself that this is a diet mindset and that being stuck in these thoughts leave you stuck with patterns of under or over eating. If you are doing the best that you can, that is good enough!
There are many more consequences in allowing our minds to remain in this diet mentality, but these are the main ones I have been looking at and have experienced myself.
Can you think of anymore consequences to living in a “diet mindset”?
Have you ever suffered from comparing yourself to others habits and thinking less of yourself because of them?
Do you fall victim to diet and exercise plans like paleo? low fat? low carb? etcetera…
I hope everybody is having a magnificent day!:)
About Lisa
I can relate this this. I think the black and white thinking was something I wrote about a few days ago and think it is still my biggest hurdle in this part of my life.
I definitely find it my biggest hurdle to overcome as well. Its hard once we’ve engrained our minds to think like that for so long!
People to often think that if they are on a “diet” that means they are “healthy”! Which actually dieting can be very unhealthy like you said. I know in the past I have labeled food as good and bad and felt guilt for eating the bad foods. Its not good though because then you loose the healthy balance and the ability to live life! Sometimes still I have to change my thoughts when for example I am going tohave bread and its not whole wheat. If its not whole wheat or whole grain, its not healthy! But then I ask myself if I want the other piece of bread that is white! And yes I do and thats okay! I am still healthy its all about balancing everything out! And also, the USDA recommends make half your grains whole anyway:) You are doing great and this is a great post because I know most women and probably many men can relate!
Yes, totally agree. I find a lot of friends and family use the word “diet” and think they are healthy for doing this. Even if its an extreme diet that is the least bit healthy, like eating only fruit. I still have those foods that are labelled “good and bad” for me and that is something that is hard to get over, but I know the only way to overcome these thoughts is to face these food fears head on and know that these things won’t kill me, nor will they make me fat!
Exactly, everything evens out in the end if we allow ourselves to trust our bodies!
You are amazing! I find I am often stuck in the “diet” mindset too just because I have had such a focus on healthy living for so long! I think there is a clear difference though between living a healthy life and living a life of deprivation! I like how you mention the black and white thinking because I think I fall into that trap a lot and definitely view things as good or bad when really there is so much gray area in the middle! It’s all about changing your mindset and frame of thinking and I thank you for a fabulous post!!! BTW 3 days till HLS!!!!!!
I think so many of us fall into the black and white thinking, because that is how most stuff is portrayed now! Its either healthy, not healthy. Good or bad. When in reality, there is so much more in between those two completely different sides. SEE YOU SHORTLY!!!! xox
The diet mindset is the worst
also on a lighter note, I adore those pretty bowls you have… where did you get them?
They are from Anthropolgie!
Its really hard to define what’s a healthy diet/exercise mindset, & what dieting one. I guess its different for everyone.
But at the end of the day a diet (weightless) ,should have a start & a finish point. Because ,whilst dieting in order to lose weight ,you have to restrict, & deprive your body of what it needs to a certain degree, including important nutrients . So if you don’t need to lose weight , that can’t be healthy.
Yesterday, I cut open an avocado in anticipation of making the lush avo/nooch combination. To my ABSOLUTE HORROR it was growing mold & grey fur (eww) inside! I was so sad & was like, OMG what am going to eat now:(. So I’m jealous of your dinner.
Xxx
Its so true, its hard to define something because there is such a variety of answers from person to person.
Totally agree with what you said!
Oh my goodness!! That is so sad about the avocado! I hate when avocados are rotten inside, puts me in the worst mood;)
I think most people feel like they have to constantly be “dieting” or eating “diet foods” otherwise they would be overweight. This is just the message from the media and society. I know it’s hard to shut it out but it’s just not reality.
Yes!! I find so many people feel the need to be on a “diet”. They will state they are a vegetarian and then when the new “diet trend” comes along they are gluten free, then paleo. Its kind of like a vicious cycle of new diets without having a true reason or ethic point for changing their lifestyle. It for sure is just the message the media sends to us, that we don’t have any middle ground, its either bad or good. Unfortunately, we just have to learn to take what they say with a grain of salt.
“Full control comes from being in complete trust in ourselves with any food, in any situation. Trust your body…”
Beautifully stated, Lisa! I can completely relate to this. Falling into the comparison trap is one of the most dangerous things when it comes to our health. Every person is different; therefore, no ONE diet/exercise regime is going to work for everyone. But, society is constantly telling us that certain things are “good” or “bad” and we’re all fighting to keep up. It’s not worth it! Listening to our bodies and trusting what they tell us is the only way we’re ever going to be truly healthy and happy.
Oh, and roasted veggies will never, EVER get old. (:
Thanks Emily!! The comparison trap is hard to avoid all the time, I definitely still find myself comparing to others, but its simply of know use because I can only be me not someone else. Yes, so true!!
Hi Lisa,
I found your blog a few days ago and I love it! With all of the negativity out there your blog is like a breath of fresh air.
Answering your questions, I feel that people misunderstand the terms “Healthy Lifestyle and Dieting.” Dieting in my eyes in completely temporary, a trend, or phase and a healthy lifestyle is a way of living. It’s hard when you get in that “dieting mindset” because there’s a certain amount of control involved. When we label foods good and bad we start depriving ourselves. Healthy bodies start with a healthy mindset.
Thank you so much Becca!! This made me smile so big!!
I agree, I think there is a total misunderstanding of the words dieting and healthy living.
I love that, “healthy bodies start with a healthy mindset!” Totally applying this to my life!
Yeah it is hard to break the habit of thinking that way. Lots of people struggle with this. I think when you learn to enjoy fresh, healthy foods it becomes easier and then who cares about the occasional treat.
I think that’s the way to view our lifestyle in a positive way as well. Occasional treats, and healthy foods the rest of the time!
Hi Lisa,
these are some very accurate observations. I would say that we are way to obsessed with good and bad foods. As you stated, there is no black and white. There are so many factors involved in a healthy lifestyle and I think it begins with our way of thinking. It’ no use eating all the “healthy foods” if we become control freaks and we punish ourselves for eating a snack. How can we become better by becoming negative and obsessed?
Totally agree with you Marielle. There is no way to become better from labelling foods as good and bad, because in turn it makes us feel bad about choices we have made!
ugh I still suffer from this way of thinking a lot…”I can only eat at this time, only this amount etc.” When really, our bodies sometimes need a variety, and differing caloric contents depending on activity, hormones…Our bodies are intelligent, which I know I repeat a lot but sometimes I personally need a reminder…
If I am hungry for snack an hour early, so be it! Hooray for a good metabolism
Happy wednesday love!!!
Oh girl, I’m right in that boat with you! I definitely need that reminder! Mostly on a daily basis hah. Exactly its a good thing for our metabolism!! <3
Great post! I don’t think I ever dieted because I have a major love affair with food. What is life without good food? Life’s too short!
If only I could get your mindset! Its a work in progress:)
What a wonderful post hun
I struggle with the ‘diet mindset’ aaall the time. So often, in fact, that I don’t even realise it. Eg as I wrote on your latest post just before, I ate twisties (I think they are called Fritos in the US, no idea about Canada) AND chocolate. And I loved them both but still doesn’t stop the guilt. Argh it’s so frustrating 