Diet or Lifestyle? Why to choose the latter...

This morning at work, I was making my second breakfast for the day and someone asked me what I was eating. I explained it was berries, oats and non-fat yogurt...a good balanced, lowfat meal. Is a matter of fact, a very tasty meal. The response I got was: "You look like you are in shape! Why do you eat something non-fat? You don't have to worry about that!" Mind you, this wasn't coming from someone who was overweight. On contrary, she is somewhat on the 'extra thin' side.

This kind of commentary always amazes me. It tells me that people think that eating healthy means you have to and that you are dieting. It also shows that people think that if you look good, then you can eat anything you want...you don't have to worry about good nutrition; and it is only when you don't look good, that you should be eating healthy. This couldn't be further from the truth! It is a way of living...a lifestyle...a choice:

You are What you Eat: Food is your body and mind's fuel. It is your nourishment. Think about a car and the fuel you use. If you use cheap, crappy gas and oil in the engine, chances are, it won't run so smoothly. However, if you take care of it and fuel it with high quality fuel, it will run more smoothly. Same goes for you. In order for you to look good and feel great, you should eat a well-balanced, nutritious diet. What you put into your body is directly reflected in how you look, how you feel and how much energy you have. So eating right keeps you in good shape and fine tuned.
It Isn't about a Diet: If you are already healthy and want to maintain a healthy lifestyle, you need to continue to eat right. Regardless of your weight, you should always choose healthy food if you want to look and feel your best. Dieting is old news now. The idea isn't to cut calories, it is to replace processed and unnutritious foods with quality food, that provides you with good nutrients and substance.
Freedom of Choice: Lastly, healthy eating should be a choice. You shouldn't eat healthy because you have to eat healthy, it should be that you want to eat healthy. Choosing to eat right is a lifestyle. It is about optimizing your diet. It is about sustainable eating.

When my colleague responded with her remark about not needing to eat the way I do, I said, "No I don't, but I like to...I feel my best when I eat well." Regardless of your shape, your size or your weight, choosing to eat well is your right. Enjoy every minute of it and don't let anyone tell you otherwise. Has anyone told you that you eat too healthy?

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Comments 1-6 of 6

Posted by lucky Tue Jul 1, 2008 9:10am PDT

I hear it CONSTANTLY at work. In fact, I've had quite a few of my coworkers make jokes about the salads that I eat everyday. It only took them close to 5 months to stop saying it to me any time they'd see me eating a salad.
I guess it bothers me because they don't understand how much work and effort I put into losing 25 pounds my junior year of college. I was unhealthy (like most college students become when living on their own for the first time), took a human nutrition course as an elective class, and it ended up changing my entire lifestyle. I feel it's been a huge accomplishment in my life, not because I'm thin and in shape now, but because I'm healthy, and I feel good each and every day.
I still hear that I'm crazy for going to the gym and 5 am and maintaining my "diet" but it really is a lifestyle for me. I know what my body needs to look and feel good. Maybe they just haven't figured it out for themselves. A piece of cake, soft pretzel, slice of pizza, or side of fries with a large soda isn't going to put a smile on my face... Finishing my 4 mile run every morning...now that's a good feeling :)

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Posted by Rae Tue Jul 1, 2008 9:13am PDT

My family, co-workers, and to some extent my friends all tell me that I eat too healthy. At work they've started to accept that I'm never going to be the one bringing doughnuts. But there are still odd looks and some comments when we do pot-lucks and stuff - they know that either I won't eat what is offered or I will bring something very healthy. Like you said, it's a choice and a lifestyle. I hear all of them complain about how they don't feel well, but then I see what they put into their bodies and how little sleep and exercise they get. But they still don't make the connection.

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Posted by mainemommyof2 Tue Jul 1, 2008 1:35pm PDT

I am in agreement with all of you - after my 2nd baby over 2 years ago and the weight didn't "fall" off like it did the 1st time due to my age difference, I made a vow to start eating heathier and working out. Now down 30 lbs, I like my new healthy lifestyle and when I do "splurge" I feel horrible. My body is not used to the crap food. I see my family, friends, and co-workers eat this stuff, while berating me for being healthy and turning things down and then they are sick, out of breath or overweight. Yes, it's hard sometimes to say no to that chocolate frosted brownie and yes, I do have my days when I will have it but don't pick on my healthy choices because they aren't what you do.

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Posted by Rachel Wed Jul 2, 2008 8:11am PDT

I hear comments like these all the time! It seems that there is a common belief that you only eat healthy or work-out once you are overweight. People need to understand that if you maintain a healthy lifestyle all along then you won't get to that point where you "need" to eat healthy and workout.

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Posted by springtime Thu Jul 3, 2008 10:42am PDT

There are times and celebrations when I will eat that piece of birthday cake. Tomorrow I will be at a friend's barbecue. I will not snob his food. Potato salad here I come. But, on a daily basis , I simply avoid " white" foods. That's my mantra. I am 5'7" and weigh 134. No pasta, no bread ( or anything made with white four), no white rice, no potatoes, no ice cream, no creamy soups or salad dressings.. but I do have 1/2 % milk every day. It's no sacrifice.. I feel and look good.

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Posted by CeeCee Thu Jul 31, 2008 12:54pm PDT

You echo my sentiments exactly, which I wrote on in my profile at http://buzz.prevention.com/community/category/runninggal. As someone who is battling an autoimmune disease, it is about what you put into your body to get a healthy outcome. I get "Like you need to worry about dieting!" when I choose a salad or small portion. It frustrates me, because it isn't dieting - it's healthy living and choices. Thank you for this post.

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Comments 1-6 of 6

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