I Wouldn't Call It a Diet, I'd Call It Making a Choice About What Food You Eat

I think for those of you that read my blog, you'll know I haven't got the best relationship with food and I definitely have issues with my body. It's something that I'm constantly working on. For years I've seen people talking about being on various diets to lose weight and I'm guilty of saying it at times too but what I've come to realise is that really....

there is no such thing as a diet

It is simply someone making a choice about what food to eat and ultimately those choices are what can change us. I guess we really are what we eat.

I'm someone who has had issues with weight and body image for as long as I can remember. I was an anorexic in my teen years, at one point dangerously so but you wouldn't see anyone calling that a diet, that's seen as starving yourself but surely that's what some people are doing when they decide to limit calories, only eat a certain amount of meals etc, how come they get to describe it as a diet and that be ok?

Like with everything else in life, what works for some regarding what they eat and drink doesn't work for others. It all comes back to making choices. Over the years my weight has fluctuated massively and people would say that I was a yoyo dieter but I've begun to listen to my body rather than to dieticians, celebrities and all round know it alls.

You have to realise that if you want things to change, if you are unhappy with yourself, perhaps you want to lose weight or maybe you just want to tone up, whatever your goal ultimately it is only you and you alone that can make these changes a reality.

It doesn't take a genius to work out that lots of alcohol and junk food isn't good for you but when you get the food police start telling you things like white bread is bad, certain foods will give you cancer and all sugar is evil, we as a nation become obsessed and that's when on all these fad "diets" come into play and really all they are doing is getting you to spend your money on various foods etc that won't necessarily make any difference to your body.

In the past I'll admit I always made the resolution of losing weight, toning up etc but I've never stuck to it before because all the limits I put on myself have been impossible to stick to i.e no carbs, no junk. Ultimately when I told myself no I end up wanting them more and ended up binge eating which is just as bad as not eating enough. 

Six months into this year and I can honestly say I have a new attitude towards, food, my body and my health. I'm not on a diet, I'm simply making choices which suit me. Previously I've had issues with bloating etc and over the past few months I've slowly worked out which foods and drinks trigger these issues so I know to either avoid them or be prepared to suffer the next day if I choose to indulge in them.

Now surprisingly I haven't lost any weight this year, in fact I've put on a few pounds but I'm happy with that because I know those few pounds don't define me as a person. I exercise daily, not to lose weight, no I exercise because it makes me feel good. I'm getting stronger rather than skinnier, I'm embracing my curves and lumps and bumps. Now like I said I haven't lost weight but my choices have definitely made a difference to my body.

The pictures below were taken twelve weeks apart, now surprisingly I'm heavier by a couple of pounds in the second picture yet I look better, well I think so. Not a huge difference but there is less bloating, more definition and more importantly I feel better about myself. Those pesky weighing scales don't define me.

I know now what works for my body. Most of my food is cooked from scratch because I enjoy cooking, I eat dark chocolate not because it's the best one but because I prefer it, I use coconut oil because I like how it makes my food taste and you better believe I eat white bread, I love a good sandwich.

I'm not on a diet, I eat chocolate daily, I drink alcohol and I eat take aways. I refuse to feel guilty if I have a carbtastic day of eating because I chose that food to eat. I used to eat less following a "bad" day of eating now I know that's ridiculous and I carry on as usual. 

I've begun to enjoy food again rather than obsessing over the calories and macros. I don't tend to weigh myself anymore, those numbers on the scales were just another thing that managed to upset me. I'm happier just knowing that my clothes fit and that I feel good wearing them.

It isn't about being on a diet, it's about finding your own balance and making a choice that works for you. 

So the next time you're thinking about what your eating don't tell yourself that you're on a diet, just remember you are making a choice about food and be happy with the choice you make knowing that it is the right one for you not because someone else told you so!