Dieting

I want to start off by saying I'm an overweight ( 6' 1", 240lbs on a bad day) 27 year old man with high cholesterol, high triglycerides (both of which I'm on medication for), and slowly-reaching-high blood pressure.  I may not be of the highest authority to offer my opinion on a person's "diet". 

 

Now here's the other side - I've been in constant contact with some sort of nutrition professional (Dietitian or Nutritionist) since I've been about 14 years old.  It started with my mom taking me to a Dietitian because of my triglyceride problem, and now I'm married to the cutest little RD (registered Dietitian) you ever-did-see.  [Quick side note - if you think I'm spelling Dietician wrong, it's actually spelled Dietitian, ask the American Dietetic Association, www.eatright.org ]  I've also been a subscriber to Men's Health magazine on and off for almost 10 years.  So I learned all of the in's and out's of the Nutrition Facts labels on foods, I know a lot about what foods are good for you, what you should stay away from, all the details on good fats, bad fats, trans fats, fats fats, you name it.

 

My downfall (the reason I'm a bit of a chubber) is portion control.  Instead of having 2 slices of pizza, I go for 4.  Instead of having one breadstick at the Olive Garden, I engulf between 4 and 6.  Usual exchange between Johnny Olive Garden and myself: "More breadsticks sir?" "Keep 'em coming, I don't feel like I'm about to explode yet, so there must be plenty more room!"

 

Anyways the whole reason I'm writing this is because of all these fad diets that everyone has been talking about since the beginning of time.  I'm not going to harp on any particular diet (Atkins, South Beach, Grapefruit), I'd rather lump them all together.  In the beginning, the word "diet" just meant "food and drink regularly provided or consumed" or simply "habitual nourishment" (thanks to www.m-w.com!)  So, really, a diet is just what you eat every day.  You know, like a penguin's diet consists of fish and cupcakes, or a flamingo's diet consists of shrimp (that's where they get their pink color), or my diet consists of beer and pizza during the NFL season.

 

Anyways, here's my main point of this whole deal...if you choose to go on a diet, make sure it is something you're willing to stick to for the rest of your life.  IF YOU CAN'T SEE YOURSELF NEVER EVER EVER EATING HAMBURGERS AGAIN, then don't go on a no-hamburger diet.  A "diet" should not be something to lose a quick 10 lbs, and then you'll keep the weight off by going back to your normal activities.  Guess what?  Most people never keep that weight off.  The most successful people are the ones who embrace the lifestyle change and make the commitment to eat better for the rest of their lives, and stay active while doing it.

 

Is your dog overweight?  I'm guessing you're probably overweight as well.  My dog is about 2lbs overweight (she's only 20 lbs) so we have to change our lifestyles together!  Let's do it!!!!!

 

Ok, I'm off my soapbox.  Here's hoping I'm watching the Bears play in Miami in February.