If you have a lot of strong beliefs around food, dieting and metabolism, it may be time to let some of them go (or at least to re-think them). Buddha offered sage advice when he said, "Believe nothing. No matter where you read it, or who said it, even if I have said it, unless it agrees with your own reason and your own common sense." (And I would add your own personal experience.)
Here are 4 common myths about diet, which may seem radical to our conventional approach to diet and weight loss, that have helped me totally transform my relationship with food, to say nothing of my life!
Myth #1: The best way to lose weight is to eat less and exercise more.
Truth: This formula seems to make sense, but it isn't complete. For most people this formula fails over and over again. (If it could work for people over the long term, don't you think it would have by now?) The fact is that your body is designed to survive under extreme conditions like famine, so when you overexercise and under-eat you slow your metabolism as it switches into "survival mode." Focusing on nourishing your whole self and finding fun forms of exercise will be much more effective in the long run.
Myth #2: The reason you eat too much is lack of willpower.
Truth: We eat too much because we can. (There has never been a time when food was as plentiful and convenient as it is in the US today.) Our ancient survival physiology is programmed for overeating when food is available and also when our meals are deficient in relaxation, time, pleasure, awareness, and high-quality food. Once you realize what is driving your behavior, you can take steps to work with your biology instead of against it. (Work smarter, not harder.)
Myth #3: As long as you eat the right foods in the right amounts, you'll ensure good health and lose weight.
Truth: You can eat the healthiest food in the universe and in the perfect amount, but if you consume it in a state of anxious rushing, your physiologic stress response will cause you to burn calories at a much slower rate. You will also excrete more vital nutrients (like vitamins and minerals) leaving less to be absorbed and used. It's important to remember that you eat is only part of the nutrition equation. How you eat is another important part.
Myth #4: The experts are your ultimate source of reliable and scientifically accurate nutrition information.
Truth: There is much conflicting nutrition information out there. (And the advice seems to be always changing.) The truth is your best source of nutrition information is inside you. Its scientific name is the"enteric nervous system" (ENS). (But I like to think of it as your belly brain.) Did you know your belly has as many nerve cells as your spine? The key is to learn to "listen" to your belly brain and let it guide you toward eating in a way that is best for you. (Your body really does know best.)
Begin letting go of these diet myths and begin experiencing a whole new relationship with food and your body.
Martha McKinnon is a health coach and yoga instructor who believes that eating great & losing weight can be simple & delicious when you focus on nourishing the whole you - body, mind, & soul. Her website is http://www.simple-nourished-living.com. Stop by for a free copy of her E-cookbooklet full delicious granola bar recipes.
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