What comes to mind when you think of a healthy diet? Very likely, you will imagine a mix of foods selected by avoiding other certain foods. Indeed, the prevailing attitude in contemporary nutrition has been one of attrition. That is, we have been told to cut out entire food groups for maximum results.
Cutting out certain foods like processed food can deliver improvements in health. At the very least, this is the case with populations with illnesses like diabetes and high blood pressure. However, barring the presence of food-related chronic illnesses, there is room for moderation.
Is it better to cut out or to cut back?
What Makes a Diet Healthy?
The concept of a healthy diet can be vague, leaving a lot of room for interpretation and — worse — room for misinterpretation. A lot of the confusion can disappear by determining what it means for someone to be healthy.
The World Health Organization offers us this definition of health: “The state of complete well-being. Well-being can be physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual. Health is not just the absence of illness.”
Any food or food group capable of delivering physical, emotional, mental, and, dare we say, spiritual improvement should make up most of the diet. These foods are considered healthy due to their effects on a person’s well-being. Any food that does not create the positive effects of healthy food need to be omitted from the diet.
For example, complex carbohydrates like brown rice can deliver a sustained stream of energy. Liquor leads to a hangover and damages the liver. Between these two foods, liquor should be removed
The Human Element and a Progressive Approach to Dieting
Of course, quitting any food group cold turkey is easier said than done. As well, this approach to eating healthy can lead to “falling off the wagon,” so to speak. Hence, any sound approach to dieting needs to be as progressive as resistance training.
For eating healthy, the progression begins with cutting back on foods deemed unhealthy. For example, a client might need to reduce sugar consumption by eliminating carbonated beverages first. As time passes, the client can cut back further on other foods like pastries. Over time, the client will progress to eliminating sugar, indulging in a few treats occasionally.
Make Diet and Training Progressive and Sustainable
Sustainability is the way to go towards progress. Whether it is cutting back on certain foods or cutting out excuses, progressive approaches are more realistic and lead to success.
Personal training is the art of training clients towards progress, whether in their diet or training. To help your client, you need the right kind of education.
Whether you want to learn how to become a certified personal trainer in PA or are looking for a fitness instructor certification in NJ, we at the National Personal Training Institute are here.
Get in touch with us now and change your client’s life with the gift of progress.
