Tuesday, February 23, 2016

Diet Mantras: Three Words to Eliminate to be Successful in Following a Diet....

How To Succesfully Follow A Diet

Almost everyone has tried to "go on a diet" or "is on a diet" or is planning to "go on a diet"! But very few are able to stick to it and reap the benefits of a healthy lifestyle. Why does this happen? Why do people "stop dieting'? Why isn't everyone able to succeed ?
Being successful in anything takes a lot of hard work, dedication and planning. The same goes with sticking with a diet or rather changing to a healthy lifestyle.
According to Bernard Roth, a professor of engineering at Stanford University changing a few words could be the answer to being successful.  Let's try and put the same theory to being successful in following a diet or lifestyle change and maybe it might help you to be more healthy.
In his new book "The Achievement Habit", Prof. Roth suggests two verbal tweaks that could change the way you think about the world and in doing so become successful in life.
He suggests that:
 Instead of Saying 
 Use the Word
 But
 And
 Have to
 Want to



Let's try to use it in the usual 'dieting parlance':
1)Instead of saying : I have a party to attend, but I'm on a diet
Say: I have a party to attend and I'm on a diet.

According to Prof Roth-using the word 'but' just creates a conflict or a reason for something that actually doesn't exist. By replacing it with 'and' you remove the conflict and simply find a solution to do both. Maybe you'll chose to eat something before going to the party or chose wisely or control the portion size at the party. Here are a couple of articles that can help you to choose wisely and enjoy the party while still not going overboard as far as your diet is concerned:


2) Instead of saying: I have to diet.
Say: I want to diet!
Again, this subtle word swap helps in realizing that what you chose to do, even if they are difficult, are in fact what you have chosen to do for a healthier life.

3)Along with these two, it would also help is if you could swap the word "diet" for "lifestyle change".
A 'diet' brings a mental image of a very restrictive, boring and unappetizing foods which doesn't in anyway help you in sticking to it. A lifestyle change sounds so much better and incorporates not just changes in what you eat but also includes other factors like physical activity that will together change the quality of your life.
So instead of saying:have to go on a diet.
Say: I want to change my lifestyle.

Make these 3 swaps and you could be on your way to leading a healthier life!


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