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Dieting vs. Getting Healthy

Has anyone taken a different approach to weight loss- instead of the traditional calorie control, taking a more holistic approach and putting better things in your body. Does this work?

Wed. Jan 3, 10:52am

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that's what hindered my efforts for a long time. i kept asking myself, "why aren't i losing weight? i am only eating healthy foods, right?"

Wednesday, January 03, 2007, 12:36 PM

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Although I agree with the previous posters (you need to watch calories/portions), I personally have succeeded with the mindset that I was living healthier versus dieting. Dieting makes me feel like I'm depriving myself of the foods I love. But making healthier decisions (food & exercise) makes me feel in control - like I'm setting a good example for my children. I still keep an eye on calories and portions but I THINK about being healthy.

Wednesday, January 03, 2007, 1:11 PM

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I don't really call this a different approach

My idea has never been to "diet" but rather get healthy. Exercise and eating good things, and retraining my thought processes are the only ways that can happen for me. But I am very comfortable with counting calories. Let me explain.

counting calories are like having a budget. You simply can not survive by spending more money that you bring in. You can survive, without a budget, but you always run the risk of a major problem. And you never are able to have the best life, because you never get anything saved.

calories are like dollars to me. I can not be healthy by taking in more than I use, even if the foods they are in are "good for me" foods. just like I want the most "bang for my buck" in buying items, I want to get the most nutrition for my ingested calories. I am building up a savings account of health and energy, and vital organs that will not be worn out prematurely by having to work with an overweight body.

They are not opposites, just the only way to be healthy. These ideas have to go together.
mariarose

Wednesday, January 03, 2007, 2:34 PM

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I def agree with the 1:11 poster that making healthier decisions is much better in the long run. The biggest part of making the change to become more healthy is to determine what that means to you. What I've just done for my 2007 goals is write overall, general goals that I want to achieve by year's end (for example, exercise most days of the week) and to get there, I'll make smaller goals to go in baby steps. Having a goal of "being healthier" doesn't really matter if you don't have something in mind or a game plan.

Good luck!

Wednesday, January 03, 2007, 3:37 PM

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Well I am doing a much more 'holistic' approach now, but I started off dieting. I measured every portion and counted every calorie. I have the exact same 'budget' mindset as the poster above. In fact I track my money like I used to track calories. Except now I'm out of debt (like I've lost the weight), so now I keep track of savings, retirement and stocks and look for the best return on my investments.

Thus now that I've lost the weight my focus has changed from dieting to living healthfully and well. Primarily I want to make sure I don't gain it back, but now I want to ensure I get optimum nutrients, fatty acids and the anti-oxidants I need to live a long, vibrant life (I want to enjoy that retirement). I chose exercises based on their ability to improve my cadriovascular, muscluar and joint health. However, I am ABLE to be more 'holistic' now because I know from experience how many calories, carbs, fats and fiber are in just about everything I eat. If I hadn't done all that research and measuring and counting - I wouldn't be as able to live holistically because I wouldn't be as educated about what is in my food and what a reasonable portion is, and it also enables me to make creative, satisfying meals and snacks that meet my nutritional criteria and won't break the caloric bank so to speak and THAT'S peace of mind. I can't enjoy spending money if I don't truly know whether I can afford it or not and i can't relax and enjoy my food without knowing.. well.. whether I can afford it or not.

Wednesday, January 03, 2007, 8:05 PM

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