1. The Wild Diet - The belief that eating more fat will help you burn more fat; plant based foods, no processed carbs; HIIT (high intensity interval training) workouts
2. The Superfood Swap Diet - swapping out unhealthy favorite meals with healthier options that taste similar; no snacking, no sugar
3. The cLean Momma Plan - eating foods to fuel the body instead of starve your self; making overall smarter choices, and using every opportunity during your day to get a little workout in
4. The Wellness Smackdown - 100% vegan
5. The No Diet Plan - focuses only on behavioral issues, and not what you eat but how you eat - like use a blue plate and non dominant hand while eating
My favorite plan, and the one I can relate to the most after watching the first episode is The Superfood Swap Diet. The creator, Dawn Blatner said to her cake loving competitor that she could still eat cake BUT only in a social situation outside of her house - and that is was to be filled with JOY and not shame or guilt! Don't keep cake or other processed sugary treats in your house if you can't resist - but also don't make cake a bad thing. You can still have your cake and eat it too, just sparingly, and happily.
I think each diet has its obvious benefits, and I have always felt strongly about finding what works for you. But, I have tried a lot of diet trends and the only one I can stick to - while still seeing results - is swapping out my favorite foods with healthier alternatives. I need to make tacos and spaghetti for quick dinners at home, but instead of starchy pasta, I use quinoa pasta, spaghetti squash, or zucchini noodles instead. I use homemade red sauce with organic ingredients, instead of a jar of Ragu. I eat my taco in corn tortillas or lettuce shells instead of flour - and I have a sweet after every dinner, but instead of blue bell, it's raspberries, oranges, or apple slices. These swaps did not happen over night, they did not happen easily, I am constantly reading, and asking fitness inspo peeps in my life more questions.
The main question I have for fitness experts and nutritionists is always, "How can you be certain? How do you know for sure?" One diet works great for this person, another guy in the gym swears by a different diet, celebrities are checking their pH balance and going all vegan, my doctor suggests a different eating plan, and it all leaves me so confused. What's right when it comes to food?
I see gluten free work beautifully for some, vegans have rocking bods, those Paleo peeps are hardcore and have a discipline I admire. But, this plan is what works for me.
*At home, on weekdays, I don't eat mayo, creamy sauces, white bread, starches, or sugary treats. I eat carrots instead of chips, greek yogurt instead of ice cream, raw cashews instead of my kids goldfish.
*I snack on protein, veggies, and fruits. I eat three meals and two snacks a day.
*I don't count calories, I don't measure my food. That makes me crazy obsessed and I can't go there.
*I eat for fuel for 80% of my week. I eat for fun 20% of my week.
*When I am at a restaurant with friends, I eat chips and salsa, I enjoy happy hour, and I order dessert.
*If I have a lot of restaurant splurges during a weekend, I run a few more miles at the gym.
*I work out 3-5 times per week but am active every day.
*I enjoy my workouts, I only do workouts I love.
*I drink a gallon of water a day.
*I do not drink my calories - unless it's wine :) - no fruit juices, cokes, or gatorade for me.
*I try new things, my eating habits evolve. Six years ago, a friend suggested I read The Eat Clean Diet - and I did and I laughed. No cereal? No dairy? Organic what? YA RIGHT. Now, it's my life - 80% of the time. Because, I also believe in balance.
*Before a big event or vacation, I complete the AdvoCare 24 Day Challenge to get lean and even more focused on what I put in my body.
*I give myself a lot of grace. There will be good, bad, and great weeks. There will be nights I give in to my sweet tooth, and days I stop at sonic and get a large coke zero. There will be travel weeks that I parent solo and have to eat their goldfish because I am unprepared, starving, and losing my mind. I give myself grace - because there are way more days that I chose clean, healthy foods. I wake up the next morning and start fresh - with my Advo spark, meal replacement, vitamins and I am ready to take on the day!
I can't wait to find out what diet/plan wins - watch it with me! There are great tips and encouragement all throughout the show!
-Shelly
www.diamondathlete.com
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