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Writer's pictureLouise Ellen Nutrition

Why dieting, counting calories and fasting is not the answer

Updated: Oct 2, 2023



When it comes to weight loss we are taught that the easiest way to do this is by going on a diet, count calories, cut out key macro's or fast for long periods of time to create a calorie deficit which ultimately leads to weight loss.


However, this may work in the short term if you can stick to it, but it's not a long term solution (especially as we move into our 40's and beyond).


Why?


Because when we go on a diet, count calories or cut out key macros we are focused on depriving and restricting our food intake and key nutrients for a period of time for the sole purpose of quick weight loss...


Not addressing the cause of the weight gain, which ultimately comes down to our eating and lifestyle habits.


The same goes for fasting for long periods of time and skipping meals, it's restricting your food and nutrition intake and is not a sustainable solution long term.


These practices can affect our metabolism by slowing it down, cause sugar/carb cravings, contribute to nutrient deficiencies, cause hormone imbalance, and all kinds of diseases and conditions as the body is not getting what it needs to function optimally.


I get it, dieting can be incredible enticing especially with the latest diets out there today not to mention the magic pill and injection solutions now administered by Doctors (which have side effects, as does most medication).


However, it's important to also note that long term effects of dieting can contribute to unhealthy behaviours including:


  • Making food choices based on calorie amount vs nutrient content

  • Thinking about food all day long

  • Confusion about what to eat

  • Binge/emotional eating

  • Obsessing over weight and body image


Not only that dieting can affect your self esteem, wreck your confidence, have you feel guilty/bad about food, cause you to believe you have no will power or that you're unable to be consistent.


A better and easier solution is by addressing the cause of the weight gain and creating healthy eating and lifestyle habits that are sustainable long term.


Habits that are tailored to your needs, diet and lifestyle as well being simple to implement and easy to follow long term.


To help you do this I've created a "Creating Healthy Habits Checklist" to get you started.



This free checklist includes 30 simple healthy habits to help you get started with creating sustainable healthy habits, a 3-step process that helps with being consistent and an easy to follow action plan to get you started.






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