For those of you that know me, you know I am not into diets. Diets do not work and diet is a scary word- DIE with a T. If you are hungry, something is wrong and will power only works for so long. Yes, I will tell you to avoid certain foods based upon your symptomology, but I am just a messenger. And, when I do tell you to avoid or limit certain foods, I will always give you alternative models. I hate when people tell me not to do something and there are no alternatives. That is when you feel restricted! There are plenty of alternatives for all of our dietary preferences and many taste even better. We just need the awareness and the knowledge of how to create the alternatives.
Now back to diets…Clearly, there is no perfect diet or program for all or we would have found it by now. God knows we are looking. The nutrition industry is a billion dollar industry and it seems the more we look, the worse we get. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, during the past 20 years, there has been a dramatic increase in obesity in the United States and rates remain high. In 2010, no state had a prevalence of obesity less than 20%. Thirty-six states had a prevalence of 25% or more; 12 of these states (Alabama, Arkansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and West Virginia) had a prevalence of 30% or more (Source CDC: http://www.cdc.gov/obesity/data/trends.html)
Commit To Something! Although, results occur for some immediately, if you are going to try a program, please give it 3-6 months and do your best to have a positive attitude. Here is a typical example of a lack of commitment; Many know they need to reduce their carbohydrate content or dairy intake, and even feel better when they do, but then consume the food that makes them feel bad a few times a week.
A lack of commitment can occur for several reasons:
- Often times a diet model is used and the dieters are starving. They are malnourished and hungry from the lack of calories. They cheat or quit because their brain wants to be satisfied.
- There is a lack of education. They do not know what to do to achieve satisfaction.
- The program is restricting without giving enough alternatives.
- The program is lacking high quality protein and fat, which can leave a person hungry.
- There are no visible results.
- Pain occurs- constipation and other digestive complaints.
- The program doesn’t fit into one’s lifestyle (I hate this one).
- The person is too busy to commit.
- Lack of preparation.
- Emotional reasons.
- Lack of social support.
- They have more involved needs that the program is too simple to address.
- They need individualized coaching.
- Goal achievement is not really what the person really wants- they really want to lose fat and have fun doing whatever they dam well please.
- And many more.
I do not want you to feel bad for not committing. I just want you to be aware that this is a problem and it will not help you achieve your fat loss goals. There are plenty of times I wanted to achieve something and didn’t follow through, so this is totally normal. I believe this is a great awareness because it means it is okay to fail-now, and there is no excuse not to try again and commit for success. The late Steven Covey (leadership authority, family expert, teacher, organizational consultant, and author) says it comes down to your values. This is also what St. Ignatius of Loyola (soldier, a mystic, a writer, a teacher and developer of the Jesuits) stated approximately 500 years ago.
If you really want fat loss you will commit to losing the fat and figure it out. Nothing will get in your way and you will succeed. There are plenty of solutions, but success requires work. If you are not achieving positive change after 6 months, I do believe it is time to move on and let go. Keep in mind that there are many things that can be done within those 6 months like one on one Nutrition & Lifestyle Coaching, Metabolic Typing, Detoxification Programs, Food Sensitivity or Allergy Testing, Functional Lab Work, Acupuncture, Colonics and more. I am here to help and I have a team of health & wellness providers that can assist.
Lastly, keep in mind that sometimes things do get worse before getting better. If things are not going as planned with a specific program consult with a professional, but do not give up until you have given it a true effort.
Brien Shamp brings you 22 years of experience as a Body Transformation Expert, Personal Trainer, Nutrition & Lifestyle Coach, Massage Therapist, Strength Coach for College & Pro Athletes and Reiki Practitioner. In 2011 he was nominated one of the top ten trainers in the country. Brien has a degree in Biomechanics from UC Davis and extensive graduate studies in Exercise Physiology from SF State. Brien won first place in the Met-Rx World’s Best Personal Trainer Contest in 1999 and was nominated Best in the Bay by KRON 4 for Weight Loss in 2009. He is an active author in Parenting on the Peninsula, Ms. Fitness Magazine and his FREE Blog with thousands of subscribers at www.BrienShamp.com.
