Saturday 11 October 2014

The Diet Topic

A few weeks ago I decided to tell you a bit about my fitness experience, and I touched briefly the topic of “eating well”. I want to explore it a little bit more today, because I’ve been thinking about it a lot recently and I’m interested in hearing your thoughts too.

The Diet Topic Chat

The first thing that springs to mind as soon as I hear the world diet it’s that “It’s not a diet, it’s a lifestyle”. I think it’s a key point when talking about our relationship with food, but it’s not as easy as it seems. The main problem that I have and I see in other people too it’s the fact that most of the time the reason we don’t eat how we should is because eating what we like without really thinking it’s more convenient. If I come home at half past eight pm I can’t really be bothered to cook something that takes time, and some pasta that cooks itself while I quickly shower is the first thing that comes to mind. The problem is that, for me, it’s the most damaging thing I can do, because such a high carb load at night simply makes me gain weight.
We also eat out of habit, and it’s a thing that’s so hard to change. When you try to explain to someone that eats a full meal of three or more courses two times a day regardless of their activity level, if it’s the way they’ve always lived it takes so, so much to even make them understand.

Then there’s the problem of all the “diets”. From magazines, to books and online pages there’s so much information that’s really hard to see what’s right for us and what’s not. If you simply rely on globally “approved” guidelines, you may only learn that you need to eat carbs (a lot), extra virgin olive oil, fruit and vegetables, meat a few times a week… But it’s not really that simple. For someone that sits at a desk all day that recommended amount of carbs is too much, but it’s only an example.
An then there’s all the “diets”. They work? They don’t? They even have the ability do cause damage? Well, some are pretty crazy. And often they’re unbalanced and pretty hard to follow. But they’re not always straight bad: for example, a month of well done Dukan Diet wouldn’t kill anyone (if your kidneys are fine, but I hope so), but maybe a lifetime of daily doughnuts would. But if you don’t even read the books and eat only meat (and maybe even only processed products, not natural chicken breasts and eggs) for two months you’re pretty much an idiot, sorry (and I know one unfortunately).

What always makes me think when I hear someone criticize “diets” is that they always compare them to “eating right”, which is a undefined concept. Are you sure that a diet that eliminates gluten (even if it’s not required by celiac disease or gluten sensivity) it’s more damaging than a totally unbalanced one made of daily pizza delivery? Are you sure that eating meat daily is worse than eating sweets or drinking alcohol on regular three-nights out weekends? I’m really not. If you need to follow that magazine diet (that at least should be reasonably balanced as long as it doesn’t claim to make you lose 10 pounds in two days by eating air, but that’s your problem to discriminate) to avoid eating crap then that’s great. Sorry, but it’s really what I think.

What we do after thinking about all of this is another story though. I know what works for myself (pretty much a paleo diet, even if not strict, with the saturday night pizza and sunday cake), but I regularly screw it up, to be honest. Since my last post, I’ve been eating pretty well (and most importantly I haven’t eaten at random times of the day without even thinking about it), but any excuse to be guilty has been welcome. A week of ice cream after a wisdom teeth removal? Oh yes! A bowl full of pasta because there’s broccoli in it? Yes! The result? I’ve not gained weight, but it’s the same and it’s not what I want… Luckily the gym’s been going well!


Whoa, it’s not even half of what I have to say but I think it’s enough for now. Let me know what you think and what you do, I can’t wait to hear your thoughts!

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31 comments:

  1. Oh I so agree, I really don't believe in dieting, I believe in adopting a healthy lifestyle. Diets are just temporary but a lifestyle is forever.

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  2. Hey Gyudy, I think we all need to find the way of eating that works for us. I for one, gain weight with an excessive amount of protein, but I'm quite safe when it comes to carbs. I know a lot of doctors and nutrition specialists would disagree, but several years ago I was living with Belgian family, so I was eating more protein than what my body could handle. I was constantly having stomachaches, and I gained a lot of weight that I couldn't lose. Now I eat what I want to eat, which is quite some carbs but at least it doesn't make me sick, and I no longer carry extra weight!

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  3. I have had the unhealthiest mentality in the past with eating and dieting. But over the years I've come to learn that there is no easy way out or a magic trick. Healthy eating is the only way to go. Of course that is a lot easier said then done with so much temptation around us and the hectic lifestyles we all live these days x

    Beauty with charm | TOOFACED GIVEAWAY

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  4. I believe in eating right quantity .....and giving less time break in between ....it has worked good for me .....But I guess all of us have different body type ...should follow what u enjoy

    Happy dieting gal :)

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  5. i personally don't believe in dieting, eat in proportion, eat healthy food and morning jogs or just simply running up and down your stair case is good enough


    www.bumascloset.com

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  6. I don't believe in dieting either. I love working out 5 days a week and eating really healthily!

    hanrosewilliams.blogspot.co.uk

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  7. I think instead of some short-term diets, people should change their lifestyle and eating habits and they will never need any strict diets. But, I know it's not so easy to do. I'm glad that your workout is going well Gyudy. xx

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  8. What a great post, Gyudy! “It’s not a diet, it’s a lifestyle”-is brilliant.

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  9. I believe in eating anything in right amount and starving is something I hate.

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  10. Glad you like my blog! I'm going to have a look at yours now :) xx

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  11. I know, it's the worst! You really say something that's important not to overlook ;) xx

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  12. Thank you! So glad you liked it! It really has to be that way, how hard it might me... It's just about changing habits to make sure what we do is good for us! :) xx

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  13. I totally agree with you! And thank you sweetie! :) xx

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  14. How I wish I had the time and organization to work out 5 times a week! I do 2 without fail and sometimes 3, but I'd really like to do more! :) xx

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  15. I know, you're right! It's just a bit easier said than done unfortunately... ;) xx

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  16. You hit a good point as when I'm busy I always forget snacks... And I'm sure they'd help! The right quantity is also key, no point in starving ourselves ;) xx

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  17. I totally agree with you. Understanding the right foods to eat is the only true right way to go. And unfortunately your conclusion is always too true too! ;) xx

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  18. That's so interesting to see as it's quite unusual! It purely shows that we have to understand what's good for us and it's really key... Glad you found something that works for you, and like you that you're good with carbs, LOL! ;) xx

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  19. Yes, it's so true! They're just a step in the right direction ;) xx

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  20. I found this a fascinating post! It's so true it is a lifestyle change but we are all creatures of habits. For change to happen it takes time. I'm joining the gym next week - and can I tell you I'm frightened?! But I know it's something I'm going to have to keep at.
    Also - I always end up being tempted by chocolate, I know everyone says moderation etc but sometimes I scoff down way too much and sometimes I have none haha!


    www.hdotxo.blogspot.co.uk
    xo

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  21. That was a very interesting read! As someone who is trying to gain weight in as best a way I can, food & eating habits/patterns/lifestyles are so interesting to me. Everything you said just clicks, I love how you said we eat out of habit & convenience & it's so true! We don't realise the consequences. Great post :)

    Yasmeen xx
    The Mirror Affects

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  22. Great post! I agree that we get caught up in all of the extreme diets and don't think realistically. Highly restrictive diets are not sustainable. Everything in moderation!

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  23. I have the same experience as Sunny. Too much meat makes me gain weight whereas carbs don't. I used to be a vegetarian and that's when I was at my lowest weight - and I ate a ton rice, pasta, bread etc all of the time. When I started eating meat again that's when I gained weight. My boyfriend and I tried Atkins once (for a short period). He lost weight, I gained. We are all different. I'm still struggling to find what works for me but my greatest challenge is getting enough exercise.

    Beauty Isles | An Island Girl's Beauty and Lifestyle Blog

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  24. Ugh I tried something like Atkins once (I didn't cut the fruit and vegetables out), and I was SO miserable and SO sick. Never again.

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  25. Really interesting thoughts. At the end of the day its what makes you feel good and what's manageable for you. I just went back on the 5:2 Diet - I've done it in the past. Its the only one that I can stick to in the longer term and it fits my life, plus I found it gave me a lot of unexpected benefits like more energy. But there are days when the fasting is tough. Wish me luck! xx

    Sarah | seriouslyshallow.co.uk

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  26. That first line nails it. It is a lifestyle, and all these crash diets and workouts are seriously a huge waste of energy! You made some great points here gyudy, love it! x

    - Chaitra | PinkPot

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  27. Thank you so much darling!
    I know, chocolate is a really big problem! ;P
    How's the gym going? When I manage to be consistent is one of my favourite things to do! :) xx

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  28. Thank you, I'm so so glad you liked it so much!
    I find it so easy to fall into old wrong habits, so I really feel that part of the post... I always have to remember me that I'm not going to do myself any favor doing that!
    :) xx

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  29. Yes, everything that is right for us I might add! And some treats now and then. So glad you liked this!!! :) xx

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  30. I read a lot about that diet and it's such an interesting concept! I'm glad to hear it's worked for you in the past, hope it does this time too! How is it going? Hope you're well darling! :) xx

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  31. Thank you so much! :) The other day I saw a lady at the gym that has lost a lot of weight in a couple of months, and she was running like a mad woman on the treadmill... Hope she manages to hold her results, but I don't think it's the right way to do so! I'm so so glad you liked this! :) xx

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