Are you obsessed?

Looking like a top model (male or female), or your favorite actor seems to be in fashion at the moment.  The fashion industry is constantly feeding us the notion that we women should all be a size 0 and that you men should all have washboard abs.

Is this realistic? Obviously not.  We are all different, we all have different bone structures and body types, long legs, short legs, curvy bodies, straight up and down bodies... all different and all just as wonderful.  Because the human body really is wonderful and capable of the most incredible things.  To me, it is not about being skinny but being healthy.  Some of the lengths people will go to to be thin frightens me.  If you eat a healthy, well balanced and varied diet and take regular exercise then you will lose weight naturally - if you need to.

However, different people tend to have different attitudes de diets:

• The "Instant Fix"... "I want to be thin NOW!"
• The "Dedicated Fixer"... someone who knows they need to lose weight and are dedicated to doing everything as explained to them - and no cheating.
• The "Yoyo"... someone who loses weight easily, usually for a special event and then quits and puts it all back on - and then some.  They spend their whole lives doing the same up and down, up and down - this is not good for your body.
• The "Obsession or nothing"... they start out ok, doing what they have to do and then it gradually becomes an obsession and their whole lives revolve around food.

The Obsession or nothing group is the one I'd like to talk about here.  Being obsessed about anything is not a good thing.  Being obsessed about your diet can lead to serious health problems.  I read recently that 35% of normal diets progress to pathological eating and of that 35%, 20-25% develop eating disorders.

Yes eating disorders, you've all heard of anorexia nervosa or bulimia nervosa, and in the USA, a staggering 20 million women and 10 million men will suffer from an eating disorder at some point in their lives.  However, there is a new eating disorder on the rise - orthorexia nervosa:

"characterized by an extreme or excessive preoccupation with avoiding foods perceived to be unhealthy." (Wikipedia)

So, are you obsessed?  Here are a few warning signs so you'll know if you are taking your healthy eating plan too far:

1. Eliminating entire food groups.  This seems to be another "fashionable" thing to do... Eating gluten-free, dairy-free, etc.., Unless you have a medical condition such as an allergy or intolerance you shouldn't eliminate entire food groups.  For example, eliminating gluten from your diet.  The problem with the type of "gluten" products we generally eat is that they are refined; white bread, pasta...  and we also eat too much of it.  Gluten-free products are just as fattening as normal bread and pasta... after all a gluten-free cake is still a cake and stuffed full of sugar.  So don't rule out grains... just limit them to a couple of times a week and make sure they are whole grain.  Whole grains contain vitamins from the B group, vitamin C and essential fiber.  If you want to cut out food groups cut out fried foods, junk food, processed foods and foods with high sugar content.
2. Thinking too much about food.  Lots of people when dieting, spend way too much time
   
   thinking about what they can and how they can eat it.  Of course you should make sure that your kitchen is stocked with healthy foods but there's a limit.  Some people even feel guilty about their food choices.  Some people may "cheat" while on a diet and then feel guilty afterwards and do everything in their power to amend their misdemeanor by going for a run or missing the next meal.  You only get one shot at life you have to enjoy it too.  So you had a piece of birthday cake at your best friend's party - was it delicious?  Good!  Enjoy it! 
3. Criticizing the way other people eat.  You have chosen to diet or to eat healthily.  that does not mean that everyone you know suddenly has to do the same as you.  Do not become judgmental of what other people eat or don't eat and don't believe yourself to be superior because your food choices are healthier.  A healthy relationship with someone is better than dining alone!
4. Eating disorders are actually mental health disorders and are often accompanied by depression.  Some of the symptoms of depression are; sleeping more than usual or sleeping less, lack of concentration, feeling of hopelessness, lack of appetite or compulsive eating, and loss of interest in daily activities.  If you suffer from any of these you should seek help.

You should also discover what works best for your body.  What type of diet works for you?  Why do you want to change your diet?  What do you want to achieve?  Do you eat because you are genuinely hungry or do you eat emotionally?

Remember, life is for living and enjoying - so have fun and if you eat something "unhealthy" every now and again - enjoy it!  Don't obsess!

I can help you improve your health.  If you would like to make an appointment with me either in person or via Skype, just send me an email to lucycarr@socialnutrition.com