How many times have you said to yourself that you need to go on a diet? What is your immediate reaction? Ugh! It won't do any good. I'll do it tomorrow. Better eat while I can.
Research has shown that most diets do not produce lasting results unless life changes have been made in the way we view food and the amount of physical activity we maintain. Cutting back on the amounts of food we are allowed to eat for a period of time or eating some foods, but not others, often just leaves us craving everything and feeling guilty when we give in to temptation.
A lady was telling about serious health issues her husband was experiencing because for the last two years he had only eaten protein foods and no carbs. Now his doctor was telling him that he needed to change everything again. Maybe it is time to change our mindset on the dieting model and look at the nondieting model for maintaining weight and fitness.
Dieting involves aiming for a certain weight goal. A decision is made about how many pounds need to be lost and all efforts go into reaching that amount. To do this, calories are counted or time spent burning calories is carefully monitored. In some ways, food becomes the enemy because it is viewed in a restrictive way -- good or bad, legal or illegal. Eat a specific amount of certain foods, but do not even think about eating your favorites. Maybe you have tried the counterbalancing act of, "I can eat this food, but then I have to work out for this long." It is no wonder the word "diet" makes us cringe.
What if you choose to respond to food using the internal cues of hunger and satiety? Our bodies are amazing masterpieces when you consider all the processes that happen to make it possible for our daily activities. It makes sense that our bodies would seek balance to allow it to do what it needs to do. The nondieting model follows the belief that a person's body will seek its natural weight when people use the built-in physical cues of hunger, fullness, taste, etc. This allows us to enjoy food and be physically active in ways that are enjoyable to us, not restrictive and guilt ridden.
The nondieting method does not mean we do not set goals or keep track of what we are eating. Goals are set to determine the behavior changes we need or want to make. The key is to be SMART: Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic and Relevant, Time Bound (has a time line). Instead of saying, "I am going to lose weight," try, "I plan to drink one less soda every day and replace it with water for the next two weeks." At the end of two weeks you would evaluate your results and reset your goal.
Is it time to gain new attitudes and learn new information and skills to live a life focused on health? The University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service has developed a program using 10 one-hour sessions built around the principles of pleasurable and healthful eating, physically active living and respect for body-size diversity. ReNew You: "Health For Every Body" is going to be held at the Garland County Library at noon Tuesdays starting July 17. The cost is $20 per person and registration ends July 6.
For more information on the Renew You: "Health for Every Body" program, you may contact Alison Crane, county extension agent, family and consumer sciences, at the Garland County Extension office, 501-623-6841, or email her at [email protected].
EHC
Interested in joining an existing Extension Homemakers Club? EHC is the largest volunteer organization in the state. For information, call 623-6841 or email Alison Crane at [email protected].
Master Gardeners
If interested in becoming a Master Gardener and would like information, the public is welcome to attend their monthly meeting on the third Thursday of each month; call the Extension Office; or email [email protected].
4-H
There are 4-H clubs for Garland County youths who are 5-19 years old. For information, call the Extension Office or email Linda Bates at [email protected].
Society on 06/18/2018