"Diets" vs. Lifestyle
By Scott Sarran, M.D.
Lutheran General Fitness Center

Many overweight patients come to me requesting a "diet." Occasionally, I have a difficult time convincing them that what they really need is not a diet, but a change in lifestyle which encompasses nutrition, exercise, and a balance among the different facets of their life. The people who seem to have the hardest time with this concept are, paradoxically, those who have been on a variety of diets in the past, with incomplete success and/or a regaining of weight. Briefly, I encourage them to think in terms of the following areas:

1. Nutritional needs are best met by a diet that is high is complex carbohydrates and fiber, and low in fats (especially animal fats). Food intake should be more frequent, and in smaller amounts. In general, they should not need to feel hungry, nor should they have to "count calories."
2. Exercise should become a regular part of everyone's life routines. It is impossible to build a healthy lifestyle without a regular exercise program. Exercise has beneficial effects on overall body weight, body composition, and the lowering of cardiovascular risk factors are well known. However, its ability to improve self-esteem, energy levels, and resultant performance in a variety of tasks is not always appreciated.
3. It is important to look at the differing components that make up on ones' life: family, work, faith, exercise, study etc. Although compromises in how much time and energy can be allocated to each are frequently necessary, it's hard to sustain long-term physical and emotional health without some sense of balance among these components.