Lifestyle change

[Marie17]

I know this may sound weird ... but I really don't like the term "lifestyle change" when it applies to weight control & exercise. The term grinds on my every nerve.

I tend to think of it as having common sense only. If I eat too much or not the right things and don't exercise more than walking to the bathroom and/or the car then I am bound to weigh more than I want to and not be as healthy as I need to. I find the term a little daunting. It scares me too that if I have a few bad days here and there then I am basically wrecked because I didn't really follow through with my lifestyle change. I think of those times (Thanksgiving & Christmas) as a time of comfort and know deep down that it won't kill me - just need to pull up my boot straps a little more and buckle down with a little more workout to undo anything that went in.

Is there another term instead of the "lifestyle change"?

 

[Tiggerkeeper]

That's tough. Healthy Living maybe. For me it is a change for life. A few months ago I was in the hospital near death due to not taking care of myself. When I came home I had to change my thinking...was I going to continue down the unhealthy road I was on or was I going to start thinking and acting in a healthy way. I eat to live now NOT live to eat. Boy, I can tell you it really makes a difference in everything I do. I haven't had problems with binging lately because I don't think in that mode anymore my stomach can't handle it. Exercise is a little different I could do more but I can tell you it is a matter of if I do it I feel better if I don't I feel like crap. My head knows what's right for me and I do it. No guilt just take one day at a time. If you eat more or don't exercise like you know you should it's okay tomorrow you pick up where you left off and carry on. No big deal.

 

[MelanieC]

Obviously for most of us it's not common sense. If it was, we wouldn't be having weight issues.

For me, I feel like it is a Lifestyle change. It's one that has taken me a few years to actually learn, but I feel like I'm learning it. It doesn't mean I don't have a day or two here and there where I forget and do things that aren't the best.

 

[JMD]

Not everyone has common sense when it comes to being healthy and fit. I'm amazed by how many people are overweight and miserable, and have no idea how to change it. Or worse yet, don't understand that their lifestyle is what caused them to get that way in the first place.

Lifestyle change is probably the perfect word for it. To get fit, someone needs to educate themselves, and make many changes and sacrifices. Its hard work to learn what you need to eat, preparing healthy foods and exercising regularly. Doing all that takes time, which means you have to give up doing other stuff. For some people this is a major change in their life.

warning - rant coming

Personally, I don't mind the term lifestyle change. What really bugs me is when people say they are "on" a diet. Anything you are "on", at some point you have to come "off". Or when someone tells me they are trying a "new" diet erks me too. There is nothing new about nutrition. "New" diet just means they are following the latest fad, that will be old new in 6 months, and they will move on to the next "new" diet.

end rant

 

[tiggerlover]

I guess it depends on the individual as I really do look at it as a lifestyle change for me. Because if I kept living the lifestyle I was before July 29th I wouldn't be as healthy as I am today.

JMD, I was one of those people 4 years and 3 months ago, I really wasn't educated about a lot pertaining to health and weight loss, instead I was a 35 year old overweight woman. It was quite an eye opener when I started learning about a healthy lifestyle, and yes, a lot of it was so simple it was so shocking that I didn't realize it before. However, I was in a group with several other ladies and it was a total eyeopener for many of us. It has taken be over 4 years to learn some things and I am still learning every day. My WW meetings sometimes offer me new tips as does some of the folks here on WISH so I am still learning and probably will continue to do so.

Whatever one calls this journey they are on I wish you success!!

 

[Judy from Boise]

Oh I so agree, when someone talks about "starting a new diet" I always feel so sad because i know their long term success rate will be pretty much zilch. I like "lifetsyle change", I like "Healthy habits or healthy choices".

 

[Tiger Lily 03]

Marie17, I've got to say that I like the term myself. I understand after reading your post that the term does not work for you.

How about working with the ideas of WISH! We're Inspired to Stay Healthy and consider it healthier changes/choices.

I agree about the comments over the "D" word. I don't really like that choice either. For me it puts focus on only one thing and the entire porcess of being healthy is overlooked when using the "D" word.

I do hope that you can find something that is uplifting and will offer what you need as you pursue being better for you! I'd love to hear what you decide can help you to feel better about our quest.

 

[westcliffemom]

warning - rant coming

Personally, I don't mind the term lifestyle change. What really bugs me is when people say they are "on" a diet. Anything you are "on", at some point you have to come "off". Or when someone tells me they are trying a "new" diet erks me too. There is nothing new about nutrition. "New" diet just means they are following the latest fad, that will be old new in 6 months, and they will move on to the next "new" diet.

end rant

I second that emotion! I can't stand to hear "I'm on a diet!" If it's not something you can live with for the rest of your life, you will at some point "go off a diet" and revert to your old ways.

We all know that yo yo dieting isn't good for your health.

Instead of lifestyle change, maybe we can call it making healthy choices. Everyday, we all have a choice whether to eat healthy, to splurge a little, to splurge alot, or not even try.

Well, I'll get off my soapbox now!