With warm weather in the foreseeable future for many in the Northern Hemisphere, dieting has unsurprisingly surged in popularity once more. Today I’m going to explore how you can maintain a happy, healthy, harmonious diet that is both sustainable and devoid of restriction.

In the quest to attain beauty, many people turn to dieting to shed unwanted pounds. Likewise, weight loss is also sought by overweight individuals whose lifestyles or medical conditions have threatened their health. Attaining a healthy weight is a commendable feat that can improve many aspects of one’s life. However, there is both a right and wrong way to approach weight loss. You should never view shedding weight as something needed to be happy or undergo unhealthy and unsustainable means to achieve this goal. Avoid harming your body and mind by approaching dieting with a multi-faceted approach that will empower you and educate you throughout your weight loss journey.

The Right Reasons

Being thin isn’t going to solve all of your problems. That’s a fact. If you’re approaching a diet with the mindset that you are determined to lose weight to fix everything that is lacking or failing in your life, then regardless of the numbers on the scale, you have already failed. There are many wonderful aspects of weight loss that can transform your life. Losing weight can lower your risk of developing diabetes, heart disease, certain cancers, strokes, osteoarthritis, and sleep apnea. It can also improve blood pressure, cholesterol levels, mobility, blood sugar levels, and provide relief for joint and back pain. Overall, healthy weight loss paints a portrait of a more well-rested, active individual freed from many negative constraints of his/her former lifestyle. Rather than focus on fitting into your old pants to win your ex back, let go of the past and focus on the opportunities you can have once your health improves. By placing health at the central focus point of your dietary changes, rather than appearance, you can anchor your diet in a concrete foundation that will provide you with the determination needed to persevere.

Superficial goals obtained through weight loss should never be the focus of your dietary changes, as they are often entangled with misconceptions. People believe that once they are thinner, their lives will be better. They think that they will become more desirable, whether romantically, socially, or professionally, and many who approach diets with unhealthy mindsets truly believe that hitting the “magic” number will unlock their lives for greatness. This kind of mentality is troubling, to say the least, because whether skinny or fat, to put it bluntly, you’re still you. If weight loss can entirely transform your life, then you may want to question the foundations that your life is based on. The most important and interesting thing about yourself should not be the numbers on the scale. Centering your weight loss around heath rather than numbers is a surefire way to implement happier and more sustainable dietary changes.

The Right Mindset 

So now you’re focused on getting your body healthier, and you have a solid foundation of goals anchoring your weight loss. You aren’t focused on fitting into your old jeans, but you do want to run around with family again without wheezing. It’s now time to root your diet in self-affirmation. By embracing the right mindset, your weight loss journey will be significantly improved. Remember that you don’t have to do it alone. Involve your friends in your weight loss so that your limited eating options don’t interfere with socializing, but be sure not to pressure anyone else to change if they are already happy with their bodies and health. Remember that each person is different. Everyone’s body responds differently, and some diets might be based on personal or religious beliefs, so never impose your way of life on others. However, you can share knowledge, recipes, tips, and tricks with all interested friends, family, and colleagues. If no one in your social circle is interested in your weight loss process, you can join classes or connect online to find motivating fitness allies.

Part of the reason why diets often fail and are seldom sustainable is that they can be isolating. Food is a social staple, and those on diets often feel they must excuse themselves from events that involve eating. Involving your friends in your health will create support, allies, and understanding. Avoid being the friend who talks nonstop about their meal plan or the person who counts macros and logs calories at the dinner table, but do have an open dialogue with your friends about places you feel comfortable dining at. Become allies with your fellow weight loss journey companions and root them on with positive motivation, support, and guidance when needed. Avoid being jealous of those who are progressing faster and don’t provide negative feedback that is overly critical. Politely express your feelings and wants and advocate for what is best for yourself. If you can’t find fitness friends to motivate you, you can simply reach within to champion yourself. When it comes to others, and certainly when it comes to yourself, be sure that you are always building up rather than tearing down.

The Right Approach

Now that you have healthy reasons and a positive mindset, it’s time to explore the actual “diet.” This word is used in quotes, because we often consider diets something we do for a limited time to lose weight, reach a goal, and return to “normal” life. However, this is why many experience constant weight yo-yoing. The number one reason why diets fail is that they are unsustainable. The internet is rife with fad claims that this diet is better than that diet. The very same food items are viewed in vastly different ways in different studies, and everyone claims that their diet is the best when in reality most of the options leave you starving for me. The bottom line is this: you won’t look or feel your best if you are starving yourself. Rather than focus on how much weight you can lose, focus on improving the health of your body. Starving yourself is going to lead to sallow skin, brittle nails, and lackluster hair amongst many other more serious health issues. Likewise, many dietary supplements are riddled with adverse side effects and harmful additives and substances that pollute your body. To lose weight, you need to burn more calories than you consume. This is true. But you can most definitely lose weight without starving yourself and counting calories.

The Mediterranean Diet has ranked as the number one diet for several years, though it can be considered more of a lifestyle change. This diet isn’t centered around purchasing any packaged foods and pyramid schemes, nor does it involve logging calories or starving yourself. Instead, people are encouraged to fill up on fresh, healthy foods that will provide nutrition, nourishment, and energy. This heart-healthy plan revolves around consuming fresh vegetables, fruits, healthy fats, and whole grains daily, with weekly intakes of poultry, beans, eggs, and fish, moderate amounts of dairy, and limited red meat intake. The diet emphasizes enjoying meals with family and friends, as well as staying active and having an enjoyable life. That means it’s alright to indulge in a glass of red wine, and the concept of “cheat” meals doesn’t exist, because you are always able to enjoy what you eat. The Mediterranean diet includes meat, but is plant-based and centered on produce, whole grains, herbs, beans, and nuts as the staples for meals. Healthy fats are a main component of meal plans, with olive oil being used as the primary fat source. Seeds, nuts, fish, and other seafood also factor in as important healthy fats. Overall, the Mediterranean diet is an enjoyable, sustainable, social meal plan that encourages a healthy heart and a long, happy life.

Final Words

When it comes down to it, everyone’s body is different and everyone has his or her paths to achieving health. However, buying into a fad diet and filling your days with packaged food and calorie counting is seldom (if ever) the right way to go. Choose a meal plan that is sustainable, maintainable, and won’t leave you lacking. Of course, many factors contribute to selecting the right diet. Cost is certainly a deterrent for many, though it is possible to eat healthy on a budget. Likewise, religious, ethical, regional, and personal reasons might factor into your decision of what to eat. Just remember that you should not be depriving your body, and to feel and look your best, you need to properly fuel yourself. Choose health, but also choose happiness. Often this means striking a carefully calculated balance, but over time and with the right mindset, you will be able to do just that.