Diet or Lifestyle?

"I am going to start a diet tomorrow". How many times have we said or heard these words? What do these words mean to you? For most of us it means a period of time in which we will subject ourselves to torture in order to lose a few pounds. Eventually we grow tired of this torture and go back to our old habits and gain those pounds back. I have known people who have been on this diet merry-go-round for years. One person comes to mind who actually uses the words: "I need to stop eating for a while"! This person thinks that the key to ideal weight and health is to not eat. He will skip breakfast and eat a pack of crackers for lunch and then a light dinner in the evening. He loses weight only to gain it back when he decides "to eat" again. This is an unhealthy practice which has been proven not to work on a long term basis.

On the other hand I have known people who have taken part in a weight loss program such as ediets.com or weight watchers and have radically transformed themselves. A person comes to mind that I know rather well. She would actually enjoy her well planned meals and she often talked of taking regular walking trips with her mother. She lost weight and has managed to keep it off.

The obvious difference between the two people I mention is that one is on a diet and the other has changed her lifestyle. Let's go deeper. Why is it that a program like ediets or weight watchers can help a person achieve a lifestyle change and so successfully reach their weight loss goals? I think the reasons are many but I want to focus on one which I feel is instrumental in helping someone achieve a lifestyle change. Education.

One thing I have noticed when talking with people about weight loss and exercise is that everyone thinks they know how it is done. Unfortunately the ways they know are not healthy nor are they long term answers to being overweight.

A lifestyle change comes from a transformation of thought which comes from learning something new or a powerful emotional incident. A perfect example would be of me learning about Cola's and the sugar they contain. Did you know that one can of Cola contains nearly 10 teaspoons of sugar or the entire daily recommended amount of calories from sugar? I certainly did not know this and was very startled when I learned it. Ponder on that for a while and it will certainly change your beverage consumption. Making a decision to change from cola to water is not very appealing. After studying the health consequences of cola and then studying the rewards of pure water?drinking water is now an enjoyable experience. When I go to take a sip of water my thoughts are on how cleansing it is to my body and how healthy it is to be well hydrated.

I know that the above example is an oversimplification but my point is that education is the key to lifestyle change and programs like weight watchers and ediets are perfect ways to get this education in a supporting atmosphere. I like the fact that some weight loss programs can be done online in the privacy of your own home. You can be united with other members and join them in chat rooms and discussions. You can share recipes, success stories, and emotions. Joining together with thousands of other members give you access to physicians, counselors, dieticians, and other motivated people at a fraction of the cost it would cost you if you tried to hire them one on one.

If you have read any of my other articles you will know that I am a firm believer in a healthy lifestyle, exercise, and supplementation. I also know how hard it is to break destructive habits with willpower alone. We all would like to believe that we can lose weight when we make up our mind. Trouble is, we never really make up our mind so we spend our time on the diet merry-go-round.

My wish for you is that you live a healthy lifestyle with plenty of energy to enjoy life to the fullest. Online weight loss programs can be a tool in your arsenal to help you achieve the lifestyle changes required for a lean, fit, life.

Yours in health,

Bill Herren

Bill Herren is the webmaster for weightloss-articles.com Everything weight loss related! Weight loss success stories, product reviews, exercise articles, weight loss recipes, and diet articles. All Free and all designed to help you lose weight!

http://www.weightloss-articles.com

---

Simple Plans for Social Eating and Travel

It's one thing to stick with your diet regimen when... Read More

Making Healthy Lifestyle Changes that Last - A New Look at New Years Resolutions

Would you run out of fingers, and maybe even toes,... Read More

High Carb & Low Carb Diets: How To Avoid The Dangers

There's a two hundred year history of people prescribing both... Read More

Low Carb Diets: Craze or Crazy?

Low carb diets, though popular, have met with much controversy.... Read More

Binge Eating: Will This Cycle Ever Stop?

Here's a letter from my email:Dear Carol,I took your teleclass... Read More

Lose the Weight for GOOD ? Nothing to Lose or EVERYTHING to Lose?

Some of you will not like what I'm going to... Read More

Weight Loss Frustrations? Slippery Slopes ? One Fall And Down You May Go!

If you have ever been snow skiing you know that... Read More

Exercise: Essential

The only absolute truth in the area of exercise and... Read More

How To Lose Weight Without Having To Starve Yourself

I am somebody who has had an ongoing battle with... Read More

Winning the Battle of the Bulge: Successful Strategies

Let's take a look at how your attitudes and perceptions... Read More

Sale Offers, Ephedra, and Weight Loss... Are You A TARGET?

Today, Ephedra is an herb of controversy. It contains ephedrine,... Read More

The True Weight Loss Approach ? Five Step Common Sense Plan!

Some of you will not like what I have to... Read More

Weight Loss Story -- What Did I Do Wrong?

Two basic approaches to losing weight; one approach is correct... Read More

Dieting? The Real Secret

Your Non-Conscious Mind is 98% of your full power.Your Inner... Read More

Lose Weight with One Simple Mindset

Diabetes is one of the fastest growing diseases today. One... Read More

Weight Loss Tip ? The Importance of Lowering Your Body-Fat!

When you hear a doctor or a personal trainer say,... Read More

Fast Weight Loss - Can You Really Lose 60lbs in 30 Days?

Fast Weight Loss - Is it better to lose 2lbs... Read More

9 Quick Ways To Conquer Cellulite

In our never ending search for the illusive "Fountain of... Read More

How to Break a Weight Loss Plateau

Healthy eating has become part of your life, but you're... Read More

Maximize Your Fat Burning Potential

Do you compete in sports for weight loss or fat... Read More

Fast Weight Loss Secret Revealed ? Move it or Lose it!

Some of you will not like what I have to... Read More

Resist that Snack Attack and Keep Your Diet on Track

When on a diet, snack attacks can hit hard and... Read More

Why Isnt My Diet Working?

Have you been on a new diet for a couple... Read More

The Practical Way to Lose Fat

Today's society is about speed. We no longer have to... Read More

Are You Stuck Losing Weight?

Don't get discouraged. I, too, have found myself in this... Read More

Weight Loss Fads that Dont Work

No matter what the reason, successful weight loss and healthy... Read More

Calculate Your BMI - Do You Need to Lose Weight?

There are a few different ways to determine if you... Read More

How To Get Rid Of Your Belly Fat Or Pooch

The best way you can get rid of your pop... Read More

Fast Weight Loss - 7 Day Diet Program for Quick Weight Loss

Do you have a big event coming up? Perhaps you... Read More

Have You Tried These Weight Loss Tips?

The following are weight loss tips that you can start... Read More

Super Sizing: Money Shrinks While Waist Lines Grow

"Your Eyes are Bigger Than Your Stomach""Your eyes are bigger... Read More

Does Calorie Restriction Lead to Weight Loss?

Yes and no. Moderate calorie restriction helps in controlling and... Read More

Fat, Fat Go Away

I am Dr Patrick Flanagan, and this is the latest... Read More