Finding the Balance

Dieting vs. Eating Right

By John Pax, Apex, NASM
~November 2007, pg. 15

The number one question asked at my gym is “What is the best diet for me?” As a personal trainer, I have seen diet fads come and go. Recently, I was surprised to see the newest fad — the High Carb Diet — which contradicts the popular Atkins and South Beach diets.

I will answer this question with an example: My wife and I eat well-balanced meals. I prefer to focus on protein intake, while my wife focuses on carbs. We have found that if we neglect to follow our routines, we become sluggish and unsatisfied. This causes us to use more stimulants, such as coffee, throughout our day.

But, if we stick to our diets — and by diets, I mean eating habits — and exercise regularly and get enough sleep, we have more energy and feel great. The point is, for a diet to work long term, it should be tailored to fit the individual.

Extreme diets rarely work. Most diets are so extreme that it becomes easier to revert to our previous bad eating habits. Also, exercise is rarely included in a dieting program.

Many diets do not teach the idea of “well-balanced.” Without a well-balanced diet, your body will miss certain nutrients. Thus, your body will crave whatever nutrient is lacking. This can lead to overindulgance.

To know if your diet is working for you, you should listen to your body. If you are feeling tired, you are likely getting too much of one type of food and not enough of another.

By working with a good personal trainer and nutritionist, you will see and feel the difference in your body sooner — with less potential injuries. If you are not eating right, your body loses important nutrients, which can cause muscle loss and a slower metabolism — both of which can promote weight gain.

If you are still set on trying the newest dieting fads, do so with caution. Do your research and educate yourself on how and why the diet “works.” But always remember to listen to your body.

My motto is, “Due diligence before jumping into any diet.”