7 April 2023

Dieting Taught Me Some Things

fluff and flat are both okay!

Whether it’s been a personal training or nutrition client, I have had countless people come to me with questions about their diet. They typically want to know what they should eat, when they should eat it, and how much they should eat. And while I can give them general guidelines and recommendations, the truth is that everyone's diet should be unique and tailored to their individual goals, lifestyle, and activity levels.

Over the years, I have been fortunate to help many people build and learn healthier habits, but I think my own diet has taught me a lot as well about the importance of personalization when it comes to nutrition. Here are a few things I have learned:

#1 One size does NOT fit all

There is no one-size-fits-all diet that works for everyone. Each person has unique needs and preferences, and a diet that works well for one person may not work at all for another. Some people thrive on a low-carb diet, while others do better with a higher-carb approach. Some people do well with intermittent fasting, while others need to eat more frequently throughout the day. The key is to experiment and find what works best for you.

#2 Your diet should align with your goals

Your diet should be aligned with your goals, whether that is to lose weight, build muscle, improve athletic performance, or simply feel better overall. If your diet is not aligned with your goals, you are unlikely to feel or see the results you want. For example, if your goal is to feel better or more energetic throughout the day, you need to catalog how certain foods make you feel and incorporate more of the foods that support your desired feelings. If your goal is to build muscle, you need to eat enough calories and protein to support muscle growth. If your goal is to lose weight, you need to create a calorie deficit by eating less and/or exercising more.

“catalog how certain foods make you feel and incorporate more of the foods that support your desired feelings”

#3 Your diet should reflect your lifestyle and activity levels

Your diet should reflect your lifestyle and activity levels. If you are very active, you will need to eat more calories and nutrients to support your activity level. If you have a sedentary job and don't exercise much, you will likely need to eat fewer calories and be more mindful of the types of foods you eat to avoid weight gain. Similarly, if you have dietary restrictions or preferences, such as being vegetarian or gluten-free, your diet should reflect those needs.

#4 Consistency is key

Consistency is key when it comes to diet. You can't expect to see results if you eat healthy one day and indulge in junk food the next. You need to be consistent with your eating habits and make healthy choices the majority of the time. This doesn't mean you can't enjoy your favorite treats occasionally, but they should be the exception rather than the rule.

“be consistent with your eating habits and make healthy choices”

In conclusion, through working with my clients and trying to find diets that suit me best, I have realized that nutrition is highly individualized and should be tailored to your goals, lifestyle, and activity levels. There is no one-size-fits-all approach to diet, and it's important to experiment and find what works best for you. Above all, consistency is key, and making healthy choices the majority of the time will help you achieve your goals and feel your best.