Alex Issa – @AlexIssaFitness
The number one reason that people go on a diet is to lose weight. You can ask 15 different people at the gym about the best diet to go on, and you will get 15 different answers. You can Google what is the best diet, and all of these different diets will pop up. What happens when they get to their target weight? The individual will go back to their old eating habits and gain all the weight faster than they lost it. As a personal trainer, it is my job to help individuals draw closer to their goals. I preach to all of my clients that instead of finding a “quick fix” diet, focus on creating healthier lifestyle habits.
After my last football game in college, I knew I couldn’t be 270 lb. forever. I made a decision to turn my life around and lose weight. The only problem was that I was trying these diets and I couldn’t stay on them longer than a week. Cheat meal would turn into cheat day. Cheat day would turn into cheat weekend. I could not get back on track and I was doomed. I was trying all of these diets, but I was so focused on the results that I was not focused on the process. It was at that moment, I realized that diets should not be the solution. I needed to find something that was sustainable and realistic. I knew I couldn’t have midnight Taco Bell runs for the rest of my life. I also knew that having processed food for snacks and lunch would only keep me away from my goals.
I believe the biggest downfall of diets is the individual on the diet goes cold turkey on all of the food and drinks that was a part of the regular diet. When that happens, cravings for their food or drink will occur. The craving will grow and continue to do so until it is fed. The best way to approach living a healthier lifestyle is to change something one at a time. There is an old proverb that states, “if you chase two rabbits, both will escape.” Focus on one change at a time, whether that be cutting out soda, drinking a gallon of water a day, or eating more vegetables!
Here are a few tips on building healthier eating habits:
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Drink more water!
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Not only does drinking water help aid weight loss, but it also flushes out the toxins in your body and increases your energy level! Try to get at least a gallon of water in each day!
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Save your favorite foods for the weekend
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Whether it be pizza or ice cream, save it for the weekend. This will help you build discipline during the week and not feeding into the cravings. Make it a cheat meal instead of a cheat day.
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Include more protein and vegetables in your meals
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Protein will help you stay fuller longer and you can eat a lot of veggies without digesting a bunch of calories.
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Stay motivated!
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Don’t lose sight on why you want to have a healthier lifestyle. Whether it be wanting to change for you or a love one, don’t lose that fire!
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