Dieting does not mean having to conform to strict eating patterns or restricting yourself from ever enjoying a dessert or treat again. Dieting is most beneficial if you approach your diet with the goal of making lifelong changes to your eating habits that will help you stay healthy. The benefits of dieting go beyond just weight, but rather involve both physical and mental benefits.
Weight Management
One of the most common reasons for dieting is to lose weight, as doctors and medical professionals often counsel patients on the dangers of obesity. When you diet by choosing healthy foods in order to reach your ideal body weight, you lessen your incidences of heart disease, experience less joint pain and may see a reduction in your total cholesterol. You may also experience a reduced risk of gallbladder disease and enjoy lower blood pressure readings. Additionally, staying at a healthy weight may increase your life expectancy, as reported in the December 2009 journal "BMC Public Health."
Reduced Waist Circumference
Even if you do not need to lose substantial amounts of weight while dieting, you may be at higher risk for heart disease because your waist circumference is too large. Harvard School of Public Health indicates that a man or woman whose waist is more than 40 inches or 35 inches, respectively, is at risk. As you diet, you may see your waist measurement decrease, which can decrease your risk of chronic diseases such as diabetes. Eat less fatty foods and include several servings of fruits and vegetables and low-fat proteins into your diet each day to help reduce your waist size.
Emotional
Obesity and being overweight may cause you to lose some self-esteem, especially if you feel judgment from acquaintances and friends. As you lose weight, you may begin to feel better about yourself emotionally, which can lead to an increase in self-esteem. Dieting involves making decisions about your food choices, and as you make healthy choices you may also begin to feel more successful and more in control of your eating. As you diet, examine what role your emotions play in your weight, as understanding the emotional aspect of dieting can help you avoid eating from emotions rather than hunger.
Increased Energy
Dieting can bring increased energy due to several factors. As you decrease the amount of weight you carry around all day, you will have more energy while walking, running, climbing stairs and performing chores around your house. Choosing whole foods which are high in fiber such as oatmeal, fibrous fruits or whole-grains gives your body a slower release of sugar in your blood, which gives you energy for longer periods of time. Additionally, a healthy diet regimen often involves an increase in physical activity, which gives you more energy throughout the day.
References
- BMC Public Health: Living Healthier for Longer: Comparative Effects of Three Heart-Healthy Behaviors on Life Expectancy With and Without Cardiovascular Disease
- Harvard School of Public Health: How to Get to Your Healthy Weight
- National Heart Lung and Blood Institute: Your Weight Is Important
- Oregon State University Linus Pauling Institute: Glycemic Index and Glycemic Load
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