Let’s clarify something first. By saying, “Life is too short to diet” I’m not suggesting people eat whatever they want with complete disregard to health. This is not one of those “You’re going to die somehow so you might as well do what you want” articles where that statement is used as justification for doing anything they please without considering the possible consequences.
What I am suggesting is that life is too short to spend copious amounts of time stressing over what you’re going to eat and scrutinizing every little thing you put in your mouth. Likewise, life is too short to obsess over your workout habits.
Health and fitness should empower you. It should build you up and make you a better version of yourself. It should make you more, not less.
Most diets do the opposite. Many fad workout programs do too.
I have a simple, yet powerful, challenge for you: if you can’t proclaim with unwavering certainty that your current health and fitness regimen is empowering and making your life more awesome, then you need to change.
Because life is too short to spend it revolving every second around thoughts of making perfect food choices, or stressing about your next workout.
I can almost guarantee that 10, 20, and 30 years from now you won’t look back on your life and wish you had dieted harder. You’re much more likely to wish you spent that time doing things that made you feel awesome. That you chose to eat well and be physically active because it was fun, and not punishment. That you appreciated your body for the things it could do (e.g. hug loved ones, carry heavy things, allow you to explore this wonderful world) instead of constantly obsessing over how it looked or how much it weighed.
Related article: Fit and Fat Shaming: This Needs to Die. Now. (Note: the image used in that article may not be appropriate for work)
You would likely not regret taking the time to develop sustainable, long-term, lifestyle habits even if it meant results came a bit slower, because you’d be able to maintain those results with greater ease.
Don’t diet (in the traditional sense). Eat well because it makes you feel great and makes you a better version of you.
Don’t obsess over working out or do things you don’t like. Find ways to make strength training or being active something fun so you look forward to those activities and they make you feel awesome once you’re done.
Related article: You’re Not Your Diet. You’re Not Your Body Fat Percentage.
Reject the notion that you have to revolve your life around a list of “do not eat foods” or that you have to spend a lot of time at the gym. Health and fitness isn’t near as complicated as some people make it seem. Don’t be afraid to listen to your body and find the balance between eating well and being able to enjoy your favorite foods in moderation and being physically active through progressive strength training, bodyweight workouts, or whatever it is you enjoy.
And also remember things don’t always go as planned, and that’s ok.
We (you!) would best be served by asking the questions, What would make me feel empowered? What would I enjoy? What will make today, tomorrow, and next year even better for me? How can I simplify health and fitness so it’s an enjoyable lifestyle that makes me a better version of myself?
Those are the real questions, not “What’s the latest crazy crash diet I can try to quickly drop a few pounds?”
Related article: The Diet That Has No Name (Why It May be the Best Thing Ever)
Life is too short to diet. Spend it instead on becoming the best version of yourself.
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