Probably one of the ickiest word ever
Photo by Nadine Primeau on Unsplash
In 2005, I read the book and followed "The Abs Diet" in an effort to get flat abs. Any of you remember it?
It was a pocket-sized orange book chock-full of nutritional and workout wisdom that blew my mind (I had zero knowledge on nutrition and muscles). Who knew that there are different muscles in our midsection and that high fructose corn syrup is a silent killer of modern humanity?
For a long time, the word "diet" was quite triggering for me. At the mere mention of the word, I often rolled my eyes or partook in some kind of avoidance behavior (e.g. changing the subject). To me, dieting meant starving and depriving myself of burgers, fries and chow mein. No thanks.
When I completed "The Abs Diet," I understood the importance of discipline and consistency when it came to accomplishing a goal. More importantly, I discovered that "dieting" did not involve starvation and deprivation. I realized that it was simply a form of food nourishment that aligned with my specific health goals.
That was how I redefined the word "diet."
Now, rather than cringing or rolling my eyes, I embrace and accept it.
A proper diet for me is one that harmoniously integrates the needs of my body, mind and gut microbiome.
It isn't always "good." Most of the time, it's greens and grass-fed meats. Other times it's a sandwich. And once in a great while, a glass of Coke (which I'm drinking as I write this post :).
The fact remains that if you want to accomplish any physical or mental change, you need to examine and tweak your current diet.
And because our brains are designed to be efficient and on autopilot (it doesn't like new information), most people dislike the idea of "giving up" certain foods.
If you're anything like me who threw the word "diet" out of their book and never looked back, I encourage you to reframe your thoughts around what it means to you.
If you're triggered at the mention or thought of "going on a diet," investigate why that is, without judgement.
Are your thoughts based on other people's beliefs (friends, family, the food industry, etc.) about dieting or your own negative experiences?
How can you redefine it in a way that is helpful and serves your needs?
Jumpstart your gut health and achieve vitality by downloading my free guide here! If you’re ready to gain energy, clarity and high levels of serotonin, I’d love to help. Book your free Gut Check Sesh here and let’s make it happen!
