“95% of people who start a diet don’t finish it”. This is the phrase with which the book begins Eat without dieting By Estefania Fernandez and Victoria Lozada de la Peña. A publication in which both nutritionists say goodbye to food culture, with a new way of intuitively understanding nutrition. This is the view most dietitians espouse today, and to a large extent, The negative message you send to your brain when you start a restrictive diet.
© @ErematicWhat happens to the body when we start a diet?
“Deep down nOur body does not know if we are stopping eating due to starvation.Because we are at risk or it has occurred to us that we want to lose weight,” Fran Sabal, nutritionist, explains. trainer NLP (Neuro-Linguistic Programming) and the coach.
“We have to be clear about that Our brains are designed for survivalSo when he detects some danger to be able to do this, like hunger, for example, What you are going to do is maintain maximum energy, i.e. calories.It’s available when I have to attack or run away to survive,” she explains. According to the expert, “All These inhibitions put our brain on alert And, therefore, we shut down our digestive system and tend to accumulate whatever we eat.
© @tinvcbMaintain a healthy relationship with food
In the words of Fran Sabal, from Maintain a good relationship with food It needs to be put back into perspective that feeds us It is a basic need for our lifeIn the same way as sleep. As Fran Sabal explains graphically, just as we perceive a significant difference between showering with a gel that emits an aroma we like and doing so with a poor quality one, the same should happen with our food.
“Of course we can make that moment of personal hygiene an experience we enjoy, by choosing products we love that are good for us,” says the nutritionist. “The same thing happens when eating and sleeping,” he tells us: “If we sleep in a comfortable bed, we rest better and the same thing happens with food,” he points out. “It is a biological necessity That we may become joyful. However, it doesn’t have to become the center of our lives,” he adds.
© @camille_pidouxDon’t make food the center of your life
“When we live from food to food, What we do is give food an overarching place in our lives And we spend most of the day thinking about what to eat, what to stop eating, how to do it, how not to do it. And that’s not healthy,” Fran tells us.” “It’s like we spend all day thinking about showering, shampooing, conditioning. Yeah We won’t do it with a showerThen it’s the same with food,” he says, continuing his clarifying analogy as he invites us in Give food its proper place And to understand that it is a biological need that at the same time we can make it very pleasurable.
© @camille_pidouxA final piece of advice
Nutritionist and dietitian Laura George agrees with Fran Sabal. “Achieving your weight loss goals requires a balanced and conscious approach,” she tells us. “It’s essential Avoid the trap of unrealistic expectationsLike weighing yourself every day or cutting out entire food groups, as this can create frustration and discouragement,” Laura defends. “Incorporating a varied and balanced diet along with an adequate exercise routine is key to long-term success. Plus, prioritizing rest and organization can make all the difference on your way to a healthier lifestyle,” he says.
Laura tells us that ultimately, it’s about finding a balance that allows you to enjoy the process and maintain sustainable habits. Remember that Every step you take toward better nutrition and wellness is importantAnd patience will be your best ally on this path.
