Who wouldn’t like to have a great body, one that catches people’s attention? But let’s admit it, toning your body isn’t about others praising you, but more about feeling good about yourself. Some people may look down upon body-building or changing body shape, but it’s not about vanity. In fact, a fit body is a sign of a healthy person – neither overweight nor undernourished.
Keeping yourself in shape also boosts your confidence and opens up more opportunities. Many people, including you and me, might have tried achieving the desired figure through exercises, supplements, and primarily, diet.
However, dieting has its pros and cons. When done the wrong way:
• You might limit your food variety too much, reducing the nutrients you receive.
• You might ignore the quality of your food, forgetting that diet is not just about reduction, but healthy substitution. Processed foods may not have fat or carbs, but they do lack nutrition and can contain harmful preservatives.
• You might overestimate the power of exercise. Exercise alone cannot counterbalance a poor diet.
Done right, dieting can be a healthy lifestyle choice. This makes all the difference in achieving your goals without harming your health. Here’s how:
• Know your body and set clear goals. Calculate your ideal BMI, this will help you understand the change needed.
• Explore different types of diets – Paleo, Vegan, Low-fat, etc, then select the one aligning with your goals and medical condition.
• Create an encouraging environment. Remove unhealthy temptations from your surroundings and replace them with healthier options. You can also involve family and friends in your diet journey for accountability and support.
• Stick to it. Seeing results can be gratifying, but that’s when you should be continuing with your healthy lifestyle, not retreating to old habits. Switching back and forth between dieting and unrestricted eating can be unhealthy. Enjoy your new lifestyle without the fear of reverting back to your previous shape.
Navigating the grey area between healthy and unhealthy dieting can be tricky. With careful observation and discipline, you can reap the benefits of proper nutrition without compromising your health.
Share your experiences with us; your successes and mistakes can be great learning points for everyone. Let’s chat more about it in the comments below!
