How come most women begin the New Year torturing themselves with beginning a diet?
It makes most people dread the coming year. No one wants to hear the word “diet” or even see the word. We're all looking for ways to minimize our waist lines without the work it takes to keep it off permanently.
So, we tell ourselves if we eat a certain way, or if we don't eat specific types of foods, we will look like a movie star and be even more attractive than we've ever been just by taking off a few vanity pounds.
As we know, obesity is a big problem within our country. I'm not focusing on that aspect of weight loss. I'm simply stating it is difficult to understand why as women, we allow a diet to control our thoughts, perceptions, and cause undo anxiety. There are conditions and diseases which dictate what's a healthy choice for food and which foods can cause unwanted reactions…one of which I deal with daily. I'm not writing about this either. I'm writing about weighing a bit more than what is typical for our height and frame and taking it off with healthy choices and exercise.
For most women, studies show by eating clean, healthy foods and adding physical work to your daily routine will improve not only how much you weigh, but your attitude, disposition and clear the mind.
Begin the New Year with a different take on getting back into shape. Go for a walk, ride a bike, take the dog to the lake and run. Go to the gym, learn a new sport, use the new tennis courts at the community center and get active. In doing these activities you increase your serotonin levels and feel much better and have more energy. Better yet, shop locally for fresh foods and vegetables and eat them. You will be amazed at the difference in how you feel.
I'm no expert, but I speak from experience. Get rid of the diet and do it differently.
This article originally appeared on Santa Rosa Press Gazette: Go outside and get active, it's the New Year