Diets don't work, tips on how to eat what you love

Introduction to the Anti-Diet Movement

As we step into 2024, it’s time to consider new goals and resolutions. If you’re like the vast majority of people, then getting healthier will be high on your to-do list for 2024. In this episode, we are exploring the anti-diet movement. It’s a shift from traditional dieting to a more sustainable, health-focused lifestyle. But what does it really mean to take an intuitive eating approach, and how can you achieve your health goals in 2024?

I had the pleasure of having a conversation with Sherry Shaban who is an extraordinary fitness and life coach. Here's a summary of some of the key learning points we spoke about.

Introduction of Sher Shaban

🏋️ Background and Experience

Sher Shaban, an extraordinary fitness and life coach, joined the show. Her journey from the brink of paralysis to transforming not just her body but her entire outlook on life is truly inspirational. With over 23 years of experience in the fitness industry, Sher has helped thousands of people worldwide improve their health and fitness.

🧠 Expertise

Sher is renowned for her expertise in rewiring the brain, releasing self-sabotaging limiting beliefs, and making the process of weight loss easy, predictable, and enjoyable.

The Anti-Diet Perspective

😕 Why Diets Don’t Work Long-Term

Sher firmly believes that traditional diets don't work in the long term. They may offer short-term results, but they fail to teach sustainable habits. Over time, individuals who frequently diet end up in a cycle of starting and failing diets, resulting in frustration and disappointment.

🚫 Negative Effects of Dieting

The scarcity mindset created by dieting can lead to:

* An altered view of food

* Development of eating disorders and binge-eating behaviours

* Confusion from conflicting diet information

Most importantly, dieting often disconnects individuals from their body's intuitive signals, making it harder to understand and respond to genuine hunger and nutritional needs.

Body’s Nutrient-Focused Approach

🍏 Nutrients vs. Calories

Sher explains that our bodies count nutrients, not calories. It’s easier to eat several Oreo cookies in one sitting than to consume a bag of apples. This is because the body recognises and craves nutrients, which are readily available in whole foods.

Mindset Shift for Healthy Living

🧘 Becoming the Desired Version of Yourself

Sher’s approach focuses on helping individuals become the person they aspire to be, weight loss included. This involves removing the obsession with food and weight and creating sustainable, enjoyable habits.

Practical Steps for a Healthier Lifestyle

🎯 Developing a Strong, Inspiring Vision

Firstly, it's essential to have a strong vision of what one wants to achieve. This vision must be exciting and inspiring to drive motivated action. By connecting deeply with what you want to create, actions taken towards that goal will be inspired, rather than feeling like a chore.

🔄 Reverse Engineering Daily Habits

Start by reverse engineering the daily habits of someone who embodies your goal. Understand their routines thoroughly - from waking up, training, eating, to going to bed.

🪴 Adding Small, Manageable Habits

Instead of drastic changes, add small, manageable habits. These could include:

* A 5-minute daily walk

* Reducing one teaspoon of sugar in your coffee

* Drinking more water

➕ Rule of Addition Before Subtraction

Apply the rule of adding positive habits before subtracting less healthy ones. This could mean incorporating more vegetables into meals before deciding to cut out sugar or other items.

📅 28-Day Habit Trial Period

Experiment with new habits for 28 days to see how they feel and impact your daily life. This period of trial and observation can help in creating habits that are sustainable and support long-term goals.

Nutritional Advice for Healthy Living

🌿 Focus on Whole Foods

Eating like your grandparents did is a great way to consume whole foods. These include natural ingredients that haven’t undergone extensive processing.

🌈 Diverse, Colourful Diet

Eating a variety of coloured foods can offer numerous health benefits including increased energy, better mood regulation, and improved digestion.

🍰 Balancing Whole Foods with Occasional Treats

While it’s essential to focus on whole foods, it’s okay to indulge occasionally. Balance is key to maintain a sustainable and enjoyable diet.

Smoothies and Liquid Meals

🍹 Potential Drawbacks

Smoothies may not be as beneficial as whole fruits and vegetables since they bypass the natural digestion process and lead to rapid sugar absorption.

🍎 Benefits of Eating Whole Fruits and Vegetables

Eating whole fruits and vegetables allows for a more natural digestion process and better nutrient absorption, contributing to overall well-being.

Gut Health and Its Importance

🦠 Gut Microbiome’s Role

The gut's microbiome plays a vital role in digestion, hormone regulation, and nutrient absorption. A diverse diet supports a healthy gut lining and enhances overall health.

🧠 Gut-Brain Connection

With most serotonin produced in the gut, a healthy digestive system significantly impacts mood and emotional well-being, reinforcing the importance of gut health.

Sugar vs. Fat Debate

⚖️ Individual Body Responses

Each body responds differently to sugar and fat. Paying attention to how specific foods make you feel can help in making better dietary choices.

🍫 Differentiating Between Natural and Processed Versions

Understanding the difference between natural sugars and fats (e.g., fruits and avocados) versus processed ones (e.g., high fructose corn syrup or hydrogenated fats) can guide you towards healthier eating habits.

Resources for Further Learning

📘 Getting to Know Yourself

Understanding your personality type and character is crucial. Books like "The Untethered Soul" by Michael Singer can offer deep insights into personal growth and self-awareness.

📚 Sher Shaban’s Resources

Listeners and readers interested in anti-diet movement and breaking free from unwanted eating behaviours can explore Sher’s podcast, "Fall in Love with Fitness," and her free workbook available at makepeacewithfood.com.

Conclusion

As we step into 2024, focusing on a healthier lifestyle is more about creating sustainable habits than following restrictive diets. Sher Shaban’s approach to fitness and health advocates for intuitive eating, developing a strong vision, and making small but impactful changes to daily routines. Let's embrace this anti-diet movement and look forward to a healthier and more balanced year.

FAQs

Q: What is the anti-diet movement? A: It’s a philosophy that promotes intuitive eating and sustainable habits over traditional, restrictive dieting.

Q: Why don’t diets work long-term? A: Diets often fail to teach sustainable eating habits and can create a scarcity mindset, leading to disordered eating behaviours.

Q: How can I start living a healthier lifestyle? A: Begin by developing a strong vision for yourself, adding small, manageable habits, and focusing on whole foods.

Q: Why are whole foods better than processed foods? A: Whole foods offer more nutrients, aid better digestion, and contribute to overall vitality and well-being.

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Sherry Shaban (Fitness and Life Coach)

Sherry Shaban is an osteopath and an anti-diet health and life coach from Montreal, Qc. She is the founder of the Fall in Love with Fitness Podcast, the HIIT Decks™ App, and Make Peace with Food™, the leaders in an Anti-Diet approach that rewires the brain’s relationship with food to naturally release body weight struggles forever. With over 23 years of experience in the fitness industry, Sherry is a renowned expert in the most challenging weight loss cases and has helped thousands of people worldwide transform their health and fitness using her revolutionary method to rewire the brain, release self-sabotaging limiting beliefs and patterns, and fall in love with fitness so that weight loss becomes easy, predictable, and enjoyable.

Connect with Sherry:

Email: sherry@sherryshaban.com

Website: www.sherryshaban.com

Instagram: www.instagram.com/sherryshabanfitness

Facebook: www.facebook.com/sherryshabanfitness

TikTok: www.tiktok.com/sherryshabanfitness

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/sherryshaban

YouTube: www.youtube.com/sherryshabanfitness

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Diets don't work, tips on how to eat what you love - Sherry Shaban E125