The Crazy Art (obsession) of Dieting!

Something that has been getting under my skin lately are all of the diets that are so in fashion right now. Yes, even you Paleo followers.

Here's what's wrong with dieting ( for me and in my opinion, in general). You can't keep up with a diet for the rest of your life. It's impossible. Yes, you might lose that weight on Atkins or Weight Watchers, etc. But then what happens? You probably gain it back. Here's where the Paleo fanatics come in.... They say but Paleo isn't a diet! It's a lifestyle change! In my opinion it's a diet because it's still super restrictive. For someone like me who can't eat gluten, it's already stressful enough to go to a party or a restaurant and pick out the gluten free options. I can't imagine having to survey the food options and have to add " is this Paleo?" Gah, shoot me. I'm high maintenance enough already. The other thing I take issue with is that some of the outlawed foods are good for you. I love grains. Gluten free non processed grains. I love dairy. Yes, it is weird that we are the only animals that drink another animals milk. I don't actually drink regular milk anymore because it's hard on my stomach and lactose turns straight to sugar. I'm a soymilk fan. However, I would die without my yogurt and some cheese. The probiotics in yogurt keep my body functioning top notch and let's face it, cheese rocks. Plus if you were really eating like a caveman, you'd just go out and hunt and scavange for whatever you can find in a ten mile radius everyday. Let me know how that goes!

I, like so many of you, watched the documentary Forks Over Knives and I have to say that I believe in it one hundred percent. If you haven't seen it....basically it's about how awesome being vegan is. I totally believe that food is the key and the best medicine we have. However, I love meat. Without a ton of protein in my diet I feel fatigued and just yucky. I know in general it's not the best for you but it works for me.

It's all about balance. I know myself really well and being super restrictive can lead me down a deep dark hole mentally. I don't want to be burdened with guilt when I eat carbs or fall off the Paleo train. That leads to obsessive behavior and disordered eating. Some of you can handle it. Some of us can't. 

So how do I really eat? I try to eat 80/20 clean. 80% clean. 20 % not. I like whole unprocessed food. I also like cupcakes and Mexican food. I don't feel restrictive and I don't feel guilty. It works for me. I feel good when I eat good food. 

I know people are pretty crazy hardcore about their diets. I guess I'm feeling feisty this week with religion and dieting back to back! Stay tuned tomorrow for my thorough thoughts on this presidential race! Just kidding. That's pointless and you all know who I'm voting for anyways.  In this and in all things, find what works for you!