BellaOnline Forums Food and Wine Low Carb Why Do So Many People Kid Themselves?

Since I began low carbing or better yet, I should say, "healthy eating" and exercising... I have talked with quite a few people on other sites and in person. Why is it that so many people seem to me to be "kidding themselves"? Why do they search for gimmick after gimmick (everything from the latest pill to coconut oil to frozen grapefruit juice extract, etc.) Why not just commit to healthier eating and exercising and let the pounds take care of themselves... and they will. We know that they will unless there is something metabolically/physically wrong with a person.

Why are so many people (even those who swear they want to live healthier lives) still looking for a quick, (usually translated "easy") way out? Why not develop some terrific tasty recipes that utilize whole, fresh foods, and learn a few hints about sweetener alternatives and how to save some carbs here and there and which are the "better carbs" and which to avoid... why not get "real" as Dr. Phil likes to say?

Why in the 21st century with all that we know about weight control are we still "kidding ourselves"? Do you get tired of talking to people who say they want to get healthy... but only give it lip service. I do. -Jenny.

lol..aww... I hear ya Jenny!

and you know..I was one of those people you speak of too <img src="/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

I think it comes down to will power..that and bad habbits that we've learned over time. We learn to live off of certain foods that aren't healthy for us. And to have the will power to seriously commit to 'real' change...well... so many of us just don't like change, and would much rather have an easy fix handed to us rather then do something that involves so much more.

For the last year I've been watching the scale go up and up...and I'm guilty of not doing anything about it except cry and complain. It was only last week that I actually even heard of 'low carb' dieting...or much better put by you 'healthy eating'.

Women who are as miserable as I was, simply need to be educated on what they're missing out on! I didn't know about splenda until I came to this forum, I had no idea that certain nuts were actually healthy for you and not as fattening as I always thought they were either until coming here. lol I avoided nuts like the pleague thinking they would put the pounds on me.. but I was soooo wrong! This past week I've been munching on them like a little snack which has replaced the chips I use to munch on.

I gotta tell ya... I decided to go low carb last Tuesday..wiped out breads, pastas, potatos and corn off my diet completely.. and half way through the week wiped out sugar and changed to splenda..I still put the french vanilla creamer in my coffee..but that could just be because I still have the container in the fridge and I don't want to be waistful! hehe (sure I keep telling myself that) <img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> ...but even so... I ate wonderful- all low cab..I filled up easily on vegies and chicken and nuts *grins* even actually felty thirsty for water..so drank lots of that yesterday and am continuing that today... and I weighed myself this morning -- I've already lost 5 pounds just since last Tuesday.. I was nearly in tears when I looked at the scale this morning...I haven't seen that scale decline in over a year...

That alone is enough insentive and proof for me to realize that this is the way to go for me and I don't feel deprived at all!!

I will tell you another reason why...for every person who has lost weight on a low carb diet and become healthier, there is another person who will tell you that it is not healthy. This is my normal way of eating and I have had to fight off "helpful" people all the time who try to tell me that I am going to die because I dont eat fruit or bread. I just think that there is alot of conflicting information out there and people get REALLY confused as to what is healthy. There is a theory to disprove every other theory and unfortunately it causes a lot of people to sit stagnant and not do anything healthy for themselves. Those of us who have figured it out are the lucky ones!

JEnn

The thing is I DO EAT fruit and bread. Just not all the time and not in huge quanties and not slathered in sugar or butter (like I used to). I don't deny myself ANYTHING. But I try to choose the healthiest way to eat it. I eat whole grain breads and cereals in modest quantity. I eat fruit (although I don't really like fruit, I find a few strawberries very appealing). An apple is not going to hurt me... in fact, it is good for me.

The carbs I gave away are refined, processed and not very healthy for you anyway. And I was eating those in MASS quantities and not thinking too much about it. Just stuffing it in my face.

But not anymore. Today I am 62 pounds lighter and a whole lot smarter about what I CHOOSE to put in my body. I did it without surgery, without pills, without gimmicks or fads. I did with sensible eating, portion control, healthy choices and honest exercise. The get on the floor and sweat some kind of exercise. The quit kidding yourself and get your butt in gear kind of exercise.

I am not knocking the road that others may take but I do sometimes wonder why everyone is trying so hard to find a magic pill when we all know the formula that works...healthy food choices over time and more exercise...over time. Time and consistently good choices being the key I think. It has taken me six months to get healthy...but it is the best investment I have made. My best to all of you here who continue on this road that I am still on. -Jenny.

Because it is difficult. Everybody wants the easy road because it is just plain hard to do it the right way. YOU, I and others are the lucky ones because we have worked HARD to get where we are. But rememer that people did not see you when you had only lost 2 pounds and were willing to do terrible things for a piece of candy. They only see two results..the beginning and the current result and they do not realize how much difficulty and fight came in between. I too eat some fruit.....but very seldom because it effects my health. So I envy your fruit-eating. (hee hee) But it is all so worth it! Continued good luck to you too!

Jenn

I think that's really the key. A lot of people gorge on nutritionless white bread. What do they get? No nutrients. Hardly any fiber. Tons of starch. That can't be healthy. If you actually eat GOOD high fiber natural bread, then yes it has healthy nutrients and fiber in it. That's good in moderation. But we people in developed countries know little about moderation. We drink a ton of soda every day, eat a ton of junk food and then complain we're fat. Well duh <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> My grandparents never ate like this! They were lucky to get a soda once a week as a treat.

I think that people are used to quick, easy solutions nowadays and don't want to work for it. They want to get rich quick. Just look at the TV commercials! They want instant pills for sexual desire. They want perfumes that auto-attract the opposite sex. This isn't just about dieting - it's about our entire life expectations <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

The simple truth is in general if you have a healthy lifestyle, you will have a healthy body. If you eat natural, healthy foods and do even a reasonable amount of exercise, you will end up with an in-shape body. You don't have to run a marathon every day! You just have to get up from the couch <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

It's the difference between drinking a ton of water, and a ton of soda. They're both liquid. But if you choose the sugar-filled, chemical-filled variety, your body is going to naturally react.

That's just it.. I was never "willing to do terrible things for a piece of candy." I just made up my mind and then did it. And I never denied myself anything. There is candy to be had...just not the same as before and certainly not in the quantities that I had before. So I just wondered why people seem to kid themselves. Why not just DO IT as Nike says. (smile). Of course for years I never "did it" either...but what I mean is that once I made up my mind to eat healthy.. I just did. -Jenny

Then you are one of the few and far between.

I have heard that if you get your mind in the right place...your body will follow. My mind was already there ...my body has taken six months to get it's butt (literally) in gear. (Smile). But now that it is ... it's great! -Jenny.

I read somewhere that healthy living is 90% mental.. 10% physical- i.e. food you eat and exercise.

that 90% mental is the key... I love what you said: "get your mind in the right place...your body will follow.

I think that needs to be my motto!! <img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />