Commit to Setting a Fresh Goal for the Upcoming Year

Unhinged Responses to Weight Loss Myths

Cutting back on calories, ditching chocolate, skipping breakfast, and enforcing a "sugar ban" - these are age-old tactics often peddled as "diets" with the promise of instant weight loss. A staggering 6 million Austrians have fallen for this diet trap. But here's why you should give diets the cold shoulder this year.

4 Reasons to Outright Reject a Diet

Diets are a flop. The dreaded yo-yo effect rears its ugly head: frequent weight loss and gain often leaves folks in a worse health predicament than before their first diet. Restrictive eating often leads to rampant overeating, or "gobbling sessions."
Weight and health don't always go hand-in-hand. You can be as healthy as a horse at any weight. Research suggests that studies showing enhancements in health from weight loss may actually be attributed to healthier habits, rather than the weight loss itself.
The diet mindset undermines long-term change. If you view healthy eating and exercise as a gateway to shedding pounds, you're likely to revert to unhealthy practices if you don't witness immediate results.
Diets are a burden on the brain. With limited time in the day, do you really want to squander cognitive resources pondering forbidden foods? You might find that a diet does little to reduce body-related stress.

What You Can Do Instead

"So it's back to a potato chip, soda, and Snickers bar bonanza before my morning Joe!", you might scream. Not the best New Year's resolution. Instead of a diet driven by body loathing, consider a resolution born out of body love - one that includes healthy behaviors without focusing on size. Concentrate on well-being instead of an ideal weight: eating well, moving more, and getting enough Zzz's are always beneficial, regardless of your weight.

"I'm drowning here!", you may wail. If the thought of adopting a healthy lifestyle seems like a solitary, daunting task, help is at hand - like My Generali app. With this app, you can schedule virtual meetings with medical professionals in various fields, such as a dietitian.

Source: Generali Insurance AG survey, survey period: 09/2019, sample size: 3,164 people

Now, onto some alternative approaches to dieting that foster sustainable weight loss and improved health:

Alternatives to Orthodox Dieting

Mindful Munching: Pay attention to hunger and fullness cues, eat slowly, and savor the taste and texture of your food. This practice can help curtail overeating and refine your eating habits.
Balanced Bites: Focus on wholesome, unpretentious foods like fruits, veggies, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthful fats. Emphasize variety and nutrient-rich eating, instead of rigid dieting.
Portion Control: Eat appetizing portions to manage calorie intake without feeling deprived. Opt for smaller plates and measure your portions.
Regular Workouts: Blend both aerobic exercise and strength training to maintain weight loss over time and boost overall health.
Stress Busters: Techniques like meditation or yoga can lower stress, a frequent culprit behind overeating and poor food decisions.
Shut-Eye: Ensure adequate rest to regulate hunger hormones and support weight management.
Hydration Nation: Sip enough water to manage hunger and support metabolism.
Expert Guidance: Work with a registered dietitian or healthcare provider for tailored advice and support.

For individuals using GLP-1 agonists for weight loss, remember to address potential nutritional deficiencies. A recent study by GNC reveals the need for supplemental nutrients, as these medications can cause reduced food intake and altered dietary patterns[2]. Seek advice from a healthcare provider or registered dietitian to customize a diet if necessary.

In essence, sustainable weight loss requires a mélange of dietary modifications, physical activities, and lifestyle changes - rather than relying on quick-fix medications or stringent dieting.

The science of health-and-wellness suggests that focusing on mindful munching, balanced nutrition, portion control, regular workouts, stress management, adequate sleep, hydration, and expert guidance can foster sustainable weight loss and improved health, as opposed to following orthodox diets.
Instead of relying on fad diets promising instant weight loss, one can consider embracing a resolution centered on nutrition, weight-management, and overall health, such as scheduling virtual meetings with a dietitian through the health-and-wellness app like My Generali, and adopting practices like mindful eating, balanced diet, portion control, regular exercise, stress management, sufficient sleep, hydration, and expert guidance.