Before I work with someone on their health and fitness goals, I always ask one question: why do you want to change your diet? You might expect that the answers are similar, but that is not the case. Some people come to me stating they want to lose weight, which is the most common answer. But others have other concerns – they want to sleep better, feel better, feel less guilt about what they eat, etc. And the reason always matters because that is the motivation that keeps you going even when things seem tough.
Why Does Your Reason for Changing Your Diet Matter?
Being on a healthy eating plan is not easy. Sometimes, you want to wolf down a burger and fries the entire weekend. And because you’re trying to lose weight (healthily), you must ditch this plan and instead seek healthier choices. In such times, it’s easy to question why you are changing your diet and if it’s worth it.
Let’s use some examples.
Jules wants to lose weight (10 kilograms) in one month because she wants to walk down the aisle feeling lighter. So, she will likely rely on extreme weight loss methods to lose that much weight in just one month. When she has finally walked down the aisle, she will no longer need to keep up with the diet. So, she will ditch it and go back to what she was eating before. Can you see the issue here? Each time she has an event, she will resort to weight loss plans and go back to what she usually eats in a matter of weeks and months. And in so doing, she will alter her metabolism, ruin her relationship with food, and likely feel frustrated.
Ann wants to embrace a healthier life and knows this will not occur in a day. So, she wants a gradual eating plan that accounts for her current weight, health, and fitness goals. She is currently 20 kilograms heavier than she would like to be. But unlike Jules, she’s not trying to lose all that weight in a month or two. Instead, she is okay with losing 2 kilograms a month and hopes to reach her ideal weight in a year. In that time, she wants to focus on eating better and working out more.
Who is likely to change her diet, see results, and be happier for it? Ann!
When you want to change your diet, you must ask yourself:
- Why are you changing your diet? (Insert your answer here)
- Is my reason sustainable? (Be honest with yourself)
- Will this diet fit my current lifestyle?
- How long can I keep up with this diet change?
Some diet changes are temporary. For example, when your metabolism slows down, you can eat cleaner foods to speed it up. The same happens when you hit a weight loss plateau or want to take a break from dieting. Even so, they must be sustainable. You cannot survive on two grapes and water a day. So, ensure your reason for your diet change is sustainable, aligned with your lifestyle, and healthy.
Also, ensure that your diet changes align with your calorie intake needs. You can learn more about these needs by clicking on the links below, where you will know how many calories you need a day and how to integrate empty calories into your diet:
- What are calories, and how do you measure them?
- What are empty calories?
- What are maintenance calories?
- What is a calorie deficit?
- What is a calorie surplus?
Healthy Reasons to Change Your Diet
No matter why you want to change your diet, you should note that all diet changes must be healthy and sustainable. Below are some of the healthy reasons most of my clients want to change their diets:
- They are tired of being tired
What you eat impacts how you feel. And if you’re battling constant fatigue and the inability to engage in activities you would have otherwise enjoyed, changing your diet is a good move.
2. They want to enjoy better health
Poor food choices (even when coupled with high exercise levels) eventually weaken your immune system. Not only do you feel tired, but you also seem to catch every strain of flu that comes around, yet everyone else seems okay. Or perhaps you suffer gastrointestinal issues, mobility impediments, or breathlessness – this list is quite long
3. They want to avoid health issues
It’s no secret that eating unhealthy foods (even when you are not overweight) predisposes you to inflammation, increasing your risk of chronic diseases. So, you can enjoy better health for longer by cutting back on these sugar and saturated-fat-filled foods.
4. They want to fight food shame
Are you often left feeling guilty when you eat a slice of cake or console yourself with a bowl of ice cream? Not having a balanced diet can leave you fighting such feelings. But with a healthy diet that integrates these empty calories, you can feel comfortable eating healthy foods while leaving room for your favorite snacks
5. They want to lose or maintain weight
Your caloric intake determines how much weight you lose or gain. And with a healthy eating plan, you can choose if you want to gain, lose, or maintain weight. Most people who embrace diet changes do so to lose weight, but it also works for these other reasons. And thanks to healthy meal plans, you can hit your caloric needs while giving your body the nutrition it needs and still integrating empty calories.
6. They want to be better role models
Often, I find this notion in parents who want to teach their kids how to eat better. And what better way to do this than by embracing healthy eating themselves? You can also eat right to be a role model for your family, friends, colleagues, or other people you care about.
7. They want to take time to care for themselves
How much time do you spend looking into what you consume? It’s quite easy to order junk food. But how satisfying would it be to spend time balancing your macros and giving your body exactly what it needs? Self-care in this form is highly gratifying and boosts your confidence and self-esteem.
8. They want to enjoy better mental health.
You are likely wondering how you can fight anxiety with food, but you can! Studies have proven that diet changes are integral to better mental health. And while this does not replace the need for counseling, it makes the journey easier.
9. They want to enjoy better skin and hair
Did you know that what you eat impacts your looks? If you are after that glow, the answer is on your plate!
See? These are all good reasons to take up a diet change and stick to it. But not all reasons are as gratifying, healthy, or sustainable. Peep below.
Worst Reasons to Change Your Diet
Most people have tried to change their diet for fleeting reasons. Which are some of these bad reasons which are hardly healthy or sustainable?
1. They want to have a thigh gap
This is genetic, and losing or gaining weight does not automatically give you one,
2. They want to reach the societal weight standard
Our bodies are different, and while it might be healthy for one person to weigh 60 kilograms, another person might be healthy at 70 kilograms.
3. They want to please their partners or families who think they need to lose weight
Sometimes, weight loss or weight gain influences come from external forces. But you must do what feels right to you and what is healthy.
4. They think it will make them more physically attractive.
While weight loss can change how your body feels and looks, extreme weight gain or loss can be detrimental to your health. I will not downplay that most people feel better when they lose weight or gain weight in the “right sections,” but this is often due to societal influences. Instead of focusing on such a goal, think about how healthy your diet change is.
5. They think they don’t deserve happiness, love, or good things because they are overweight or underweight.
This often comes from external forces based on biased societal standards.
These are some reasons why changing your diet would not be healthy or sustainable – you would be playing into dangerous societal norms that would likely alter your relationship with food for the worse. Before you change your diet, question why you are doing it, how long you can keep up, and whether your reason is internal or external.
Are You Ready to Change Your Diet? I have two options for you:
The Custom Meal Plan: If you want a customized meal plan based on your current TDEE and tailored to meet your health and fitness goals, book a consultation with me via dee@deemanded.com or drop a contact form.
The 28-Day Metabolism Challenge
Do you want to fast-track your metabolism, lose weight, and be on a slight to moderate calorie deficit? Check out this guide. (Not for people who want to go on a surplus).
Also, I am on Instagram and constantly checking my DMs. You can always find and interact with me here.