I’ve been told that we all learn from our mistakes. With that in mind, I’ve learned more than my fair share through lots of trial and error. That goes for pretty much all areas of my life, but especially my journey with fitness and health. We read all of the things we’re supposed to do, but we need to know the diet and exercise mistakes to avoid.
In dieting and good eating, food needs to become our ally; not our enemy. I read an article last week about a woman who termed her relationship with food “bipolar” because of the love-hate nature of her feelings. We have to start thinking of food as a fuel for energy and life, rather than an enemy to overcome or conquer.
When we skip meals and go long stretches without eating, we actually slow the rate at which we burn calories. Skipping meals can also cause us to overeat when we finally do allow ourselves some food.
If we completely eliminate a food group, chances are we are going to forgo important nutrients from that group, or overcompensate with another food group. Better to cut back some on a food group you enjoy than to fight to avoid them completely!
Also, healthful eating needs to be a lifestyle choice; not just something to do for a few weeks or months. You can cut back or add more, but don’t ever get to the point where you’re either only “on a diet” or out of control.
And finally, we can’t be perfect 24/7. If you indulge some, don’t beat yourself up. Just redirect yourself back on track. Like a GPS recalculating your route, your body can find its way back if you let it.
Keep up what you’ve started and let yourself learn from your (and “my”) mistakes!
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