The holidays have come and gone.  The only leftovers are the often empty promises we call New Year's Resolutions. You know what they are: "This will be the year I finally lose those extra 10 pounds, start exercising more, stick to a diet..." But "diet" is considered a bad word in my vocabulary- it holds such a negative connotation! It insinuates that we must deprive ourselves of the foods we love, restrict our favorite high-calorie/fat/carb food, sometimes even to the point of starvation.  Who would ever want to keep that New Year's Resolution? It certainly doesn't sound like an inspiring or fun way to kick off the new year! Eating Well Magazine recently ran an article about people's relationship with food and the author wrote, "Chronic dieting encourages you to ignore your body's own signals of hunger and satiety." Certainly sounds like a problematic approach to losing weight and getting healthy, right? When did the word "diet" start to mean all the things we exclude from our day to day grind? When did "diet" stop meaning all the healthy foods and lifestyles we incorporate into our daily lives? The idea of a healthy diet has become, unfortunately, in our society quite the oxymoron, don't you think?

        So this year, forget about that New Year's Resolution.  Instead, why not try going on a binge - of fruits and vegetables, home cooked meals, healthy living. I guarantee a higher success rate than the other diet you were about to try. This year, vow to find simple solutions that return dramatic results. Try it - I dare you! And if you need help along the way, you know who you can call.

 

To a Healthy and Happy New Year,

 

Health and Wellness Consultant

American Association of Drugless Practitioners