When I was in 6th grade, around 11 years old, I was overweight, so my parents decided to take me to the doctor so we could talk about it.
I wanted to lose this excess weight for a long time and I couldn’t do it so I was very attentive to his advice. I remember we talked together for a few minutes about what I was eating in normal times and once the necessary information was collected he gave me 4 or 5 simple and clear missions, I still remember these:
- You have the right to taste everything once, but from now on, you will be forbidden to tighten up twice of the same food during a meal
- The piece of bread dipped in the sauce of the dish is finished, sorry
- Teisseire syrup is also finished, now it will be water.
Okay, chief! Was it easy? No, the habit of syrup is a real dirt (see article Figaro addiction to sugar), the dose of fat, salt and carbohydrate that we collect by dipping our bread in mom’s fresh cream sauce … Same. But hey, these goals that the doctor had set for me were not only simple, but also a simple adjustment of my eating habits, not a total upheaval of my daily life as can be many diets (tenit: receive his meal in a bag rather than go to the races or remove a whole part of his daily diet). As a result, a few months later the goal was fulfilled, I had grown up, without getting fat and it could be seen.
This little anecdote perfectly illustrates one of the results (2009-2012) of the NutriNet Health study: non-restrictive diets, based on food balance, have more interesting long-term results (6 months) than restrictive or coaching diets.
Indeed, too abrupt a food change involving restrictions is sustainable in the short term only. It is possible to go out less during a given period, we eat less often with our friends and when we do we can possibly socially justify eating less/differently because of the diet we follow. But this is not possible in the long run, do you see ordering a steak without bread at McDonald’s to follow your paleo diet that forbids you carbohydrates? Do you see yourself going to the restaurant and telling the waiter, no I’m just going to order a Perrier and I’ll eat my Weight Watchers tray while my friends eat your cook’s dishes?
Not to mention evenings with friends, professional meals… When you want to lose weight, one of your worst enemies will be your habits. In all the configurations mentioned above, there is only one system that resists, that is to understand what food balance is, and it is the one that gives the best results in the long run. Indeed, you can eat McDonald’s, if you only have a burger, do not take a sugary drink, and eat light at the next meal. You can go to the restaurant, if you know how to differentiate, on the menu, a balanced dish, from a dish to avoid. You can keep your social life, if you understand why putting on 500g of peanuts is not an option…
So, before you spend your money on a miracle program, which will work for 3 months, then get your initial weight back, if you don’t, find out, read, consult a specialist, dietitian, nutritionist and understand.
I am currently the university degree « Nutrition and Physical Activity » and I am in a hurry to be able to follow you in this search for nutritional balance, weight control or sports performance.
A very soon