You! Yes, you! STOP dieting and exercising! If you want to see lasting fitness, you need to eliminate these two terms from your vocabulary.

This seems counterintuitive. If I don’t diet and exercise, how in the world am I supposed to get results?

Let me be clear: If you diet and exercise short term, you will see results. You will probably lose the weight you want. If you are looking to lose 15 pounds for your high school reunion or whatever and are comfortable gaining back everything you lost, then by all means diet and exercise. Or if you are comfortable being overweight and out of shape and tired all the time, you don’t even need to do that.

However, if what you are seeking is a LASTING change: more energy, permanent weight loss, better overall health, a more upbeat attitude… diet and exercise will not cut it. If what you are currently doing is not working for you, you need to consider a lifestyle change. For example, I have been an athlete most of my life (thank you, swimming). I have never had any significant weight problem, and I have been what most would consider “in shape.” But that was always very specific to whatever activity I have been doing. My goal was always athletic success, and not overall health and fitness. I wasn’t concerned necessarily about what I was eating, as long as it was enough. The quality of my rest was suboptimal. Even though I was an athlete, I needed a lifestyle change.

What a lifestyle change is not:

-extremely restrictive dieting

-obsessive exercising

-“health-nut” attitude

-depriving yourself of your favorite foods, drinks, activities, etc.

What a lifestyle change is:

-a focus on overall health

-making the right choice for your future self, not just your current self

-focusing on foods that fuel your body

-getting enough rest

-a commitment to regular workouts that move your body and your spirit (you don’t need to spend hours on the treadmill, or become a body builder) – go for a hike, go kayaking, sign up for a triathlon (I’ll do it with you), ride your bike, dance – anything. Just go move.

Making a lifestyle change is HARD. But if you are really committed to losing weight, getting healthy, and really LIVING, you can do it. And if you need someone to help you make that change, I would be more than happy to do that for you. Just reach out and let me know you are ready.