Conquering the Diet Myth
Overcoming false beliefs about food, dieting and health, and taking personal inventory about why it matters, can yield lasting weight loss results. Almost everyone has tried a “diet plan” which either is unsustainable (often unsafe), or yields only temporary results. Instead, let’s shift the focus to what can be done to start getting healthier. Flip the internal dialogue to, “I don’t lose weight to get healthy, I get healthy to lose weight!” A first step is to gain clarity about the why of weight loss, such as having more energy, gaining more confidence, lowering the risk of disease where weight is a contributor or healing our gut from toxins, which makes for a stronger commitment to reaching weight-loss goals.
Three Myths About Weight Loss
Beyond that is what I call the outdated traditional weight loss mindset. This mindset involves 3 competing false beliefs about weight loss that I believe are hold us back from the desired health transformation:
- Myth 1 – I have to lose weight first, and after that I will feel better about myself, and then I will work on getting healthy. Fact – Many factors, including our toxic body burden, hormones, inflammation and inability to detoxify actually cause our bodies to hold onto weight; without addressing these, our bodies cannot release the weight.
- Myth No. 2 – We have to spend a lot of time counting calories and restricting our food choices, or we can take a miracle supplement and have a quick, easy surgery. Fact – A low-calorie food is not necessarily a healthy food, and even weight-loss surgery still requires healthy habits and a healing mindset; plus, fad cures are not lasting.
- Myth No. 3 – Above all else, I have to eat low-fat and avoid cholesterol, because it is bad for me. Fact – Neither fat nor cholesterol is bad; in fact, cholesterol is a “molecule of life” that is necessary for brain function, cellular health and adequate hormone production. Plus, low-fat has led to high blood sugar and lack of glucose control.
There are many myths about food, fad diets and dietary strategies that we must focus on the facts instead of becoming paralyzed about what to put in our mouths or on the table. Start with how a lack of glucose control has indeed caused hormones (and metabolism) to run amok. It’s well-known that everything we consume falls into three main food categories:
- Proteins – Proteins, called amino acids, are converted into the fundamental building blocks our bodies need to build and repair tissue. Choose non-inflammatory protein and introduce it at each meal for building or retaining muscle mass.
- Fats – Eating healthy fats is the body’s best source of sustained energy, and eating them correctly does not produce fat. Instead, fat is often a result of “excess energy”, where the carbohydrate load is either too high or such that it triggers a hormonal stress response.
- Carbohydrates – Carbs are the cheapest source of energy that most quickly converts to fuel; while that can be helpful for fueling a workout, it also helps us to pack on the pounds. Include good (complex) carbs and replace simple carbohydrates with healthy fats to feel fuller.
Regarding food, take personal inventory and introduce those foods that produce long-lasting metabolic energy. At the same time, take out and remove those that trigger a negative response regarding blood sugar and hormones. A functional medicine doctor that understands metabolism can support weight loss and a return to health with proper testing and essential nutrients.
To view a free, three-minute blood sugar quiz, visit DrPucciBloodSugarQuiz. To learn about Dr. Doug Pucci’s Root Cause Solution to chronic health concerns, call 201-261-5430 or register at GetWell-Now.com/webinar.
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