Why Diets Don’t Work

Kyle’s post on dieting inspired me to share some of my thoughts on the subject too. Honestly, I’m not a big fan of diets.  A diet is, by definition, a restrictive practice that you do for a limited time.  The implication is that you will stop dieting at some point and resume your normal eating behavior.  When you do that you’ll just return to how you were and all that work will be for nothing.

The solution is to change the way you eat.  You don’t want to diet and count calories for the rest of your life.  You want to adopt a healthy lifestyle that lets you enjoy your food and enjoy life. The problem is that it’s hard to know where to get started.

The truth is, this is something I learn about every day. It’s something I’ve been learning about for the last decade – and every day I learn something new. Of all the things you are committed to in your life, your body should be at the top of that list. Make a commitment to yourself to learn how to live a healthy life.

The best book I have EVER read on this subject is called “How to Eat, Move, and Be Healthy” by Paul Chek.  It’s about $16 on Amazon.  I highly recommend it.  More than any other piece of literature it’s deeply affected the way I think about food and health. Paul Chek is a really interesting guy too. Check out this interview he did recently.

[ photo: flickr ]

Whatever happens, don’t give up…

When everything feels like it’s against you it can be easy to forget just how much possibility our lives carry.  The above video had a profound effect on me.

It’s the simple story of William Kamkwamba and how he built a windmill in his starving African village.  To me, it’s not a story about race, poverty, or starvation, but a story of initiative.  Of not knowing that something is impossible.  Going on little more than textbook diagrams (he couldn’t really read english), William built a windmill out of scrap parts to power his family’s home.  The local villagers thought he was insane, but he persisted and succeeded.

More often than not, people defeat themselves before they even start.  They think of every possible reason why they’ll fail, instead of all the reason’s why they might succeed.  Remember, it’s not about resources, it’s about resourcefulness. Sometimes all it takes is believing that you can, and then finding a way.

“Trust yourself and believe.  Whatever happens, don’t give up.” – William Kamkwamba