Is Diet A Dirty Word?

I went to bed last night feeling like I had nothing left to give and nothing inspirational to say to all of the lovely Healthy Wife Ladies. I thought to myself that I don't know how Trainer Momma does it day in and day out. I was ready to throw in the towel. Then I started thinking of each of you. How I wish that I could sit with each of you individually to talk about things that might help you. Misconceptions that you're still hanging on to that need to be addressed. I knew that as much as sometimes I feel like I have nothing to say...if I really think about it there is so much to say and maybe I feel more overwhelmed than anything.

My thoughts then turned to the word "Diet". I've spend so much time trying to convince people they can't go on a diet...it needs to be a lifestyle change. The word "diet" has come to mean doing crazy things to loose weight or even gain weight. However that's not really what it means at all. Diet
di·et¹

NOUN:

1. The usual food and drink of a person or animal.
2. A regulated selection of foods, as for medical reasons or cosmetic weight loss.
3. Something used, enjoyed, or provided regularly: subsisted on a diet of detective novels during his vacation.

I think that it's interesting how this word must have evolved. I believe the defintion #1 is what it's really all about. When discussing the health of person we question what is your diet like. They doctor or nurse, aren't they usually the ones asking these questions, is not asking what are you trying to do to lose weight they are wondering what you normally eat and drink.

Because Americans in general have struggled with eating a normal diet that is healthy with their caloiric intake equal to their caloric output the word diet has taken on a totally new meaning which unfortunately has crazy and unsustainable actions.

We need to think of the word "diet" as what we normally eat. Do we normally eat a well balanced diet? We should be striving to do this, not living on a "restricted diet" that will not and probably should not become what we "normally" eat.

I also love definition #3. Our diet isn't just about what we put in our mouth but also what we are doing for ourselves. Having a balanced diet should include exercise, family, social, spiritual....whatever else you think it important in your life but you have to find a balance.

I hope as you work on improving your health that you are trying to do things that will become what you "normally" do. That your steady diet of life is balanced and not restrictive or short term. The balance may always be changing but finding that balance is what keeps things running smooth. Even when there are bumps in the road you can come back to that balance.

Let's not make "diet" the dirty word it has become but part of your spice of life.