Why You Shouldn’t Diet Right Now
Embarking on a diet can be a positive step toward better health and confidence, but sometimes it's important to sit back and ask yourself, “Am I ready for this?" Dieting itself ca be a physiological and psychological stressor on your body, as you are reducing total energy intake and course, foods that you enjoy. Dieting also requires mindfulness, discipline, and structure to succeed.
Now, I am not saying it needs to be ultra-complicated; however, it never really is all that easy, is it? If you feel primed and ready to go, go do it! However, there are some situations where it might be wise to delay your dieting efforts. Let's examine some diet hindrances that may be holding you back and how to address them BEFORE embracing a fat loss phase.
High Stress Levels
Example: If your diet adds more stress to an already stressful life.
Strategy: Focus on stress management techniques prior to starting a fat loss diet. These techniques will not only help prime you for a successful diet but will improve overall well-being. Some of these techniques may include physical activity, meditation, aromatherapy, reading, or any other activities that mitigate stress. Once you feel more balanced, gradually reintroduce dietary changes.
Chaotic Routine
Example: When your daily routine is very chaotic and unpredictable.
Strategy: Establish some level of consistency in your life. Start with small, manageable changes such as planning meals ahead of time or setting specific times for meals and snacks. Create a flexible meal plan that accommodates your busy schedule.
Poor Sleep Quality
Example: If your sleep quality is low and it’s causing work/life distress.
Strategy: Prioritize improving your sleep quality by setting a consistent bedtime, creating a relaxing bedtime routine, and minimizing screen time before bed. Try avoiding high-fat or sugary foods before bed and prioritize a balanced dinner or light snack a couple of hours before bed. Good sleep can enhance your overall health and make it easier to stick to a diet later.
Lack of Good Habits
Example: If you're lacking good dieting habits in place.
Strategy: Focus on building healthy habits one at a time. Ask yourself, do I regularly consume fruits and vegetables? Am I drinking enough water? Do I have binge eating episodes? These are habits that should be worked on as soon as possible. Sure, they can be improved on while already on a fat loss diet, but it's probably better to implement these changes prior to caloric restriction. Use trackers or apps to monitor your progress and celebrate small victories. This will help build confidence and make the transition to a fat loss diet smoother.
Low Motivation and Enthusiasm
Example: If you have low motivation and enthusiasm for the upcoming diet phase.
Strategy: Motivation is finite, and discipline and commitment win at the end of the day. However, early motivation and enthusiasm can help boost your success early on and set the stage for success and self-efficacy. If you’re dreading starting a fat loss diet, perhaps focus on just improving the overall composition of your diet to improve your health, as well as working on the other habits previously mentioned. If you’re somewhat neutral, consider reigniting your motivation by setting small, achievable goals and rewarding yourself for meeting them. Surround yourself with a supportive community or check out an interesting fitness podcast that ignites more interest and excitement in the process.
Final Thoughts
Remember, dieting is just one aspect of a healthy lifestyle. Sometimes, the most important step is to get your life in order before focusing on fat loss. By addressing these challenges and implementing strategies to overcome them, you can set yourself up for long-term success.
About The Author
Gregory Vazquez is dedicated professional in the fields of Nutrition and Exercise science. After completing his Bachelor's degree in Nutrition, he elected to become an in-person Personal Trainer and Nutrition Coach. He chose this over working in a hospital setting because it gave me an opportunity to work with clients more closely! He loves building relationships with people and helping them on there fitness Journey!
After five-yeas of experience and Master's degree later, he is ready to take his experience to the online space and continue to make a difference! He also posts educational posts on LinkedIn for those that may be interested in following!
He specializes in body recomposition (gaining muscle and losing bodyfat), promoting sustainable lifestyle changes and fostering healthier relationships with food.