Dieting vs. Lifestyle Changes

December 22, 2021

dieting-vs-lifestyle-change

When you find the need for dieting and allow your body more time to digest less food than usual, you may feel some changes in your body. Marketers have this habit of using “diet and lifestyle change” interchangeably when suggesting a new dieting supplement or diet plan. The reason is the vastness of this multi-billion dollar industry since the US alone has a whopping $72 billion weight loss and diet control market. However, lifestyle changes include several things directed towards a healthier lifestyle, whereas dieting is primarily focused on controlling your overall daily calorie intake.

We are here to eliminate the confusion but before we dive into the differences between the terms “dieting” and “lifestyle changes,” let’s define what they are. 

 

Dieting

Dieting is one of the weight loss or gains practices that we follow for a short period of time to achieve a certain fitness goal. The whole purpose of a diet is to change your calorie intake according to your desired target weight. Sometimes people on a certain diet are tempted by food or cannot resist their old habits, ending the diet period. Dieting is more of a punishment that your body and mind go through, and when it ends, your body will want all those things you control. 

To some it up, dieting is temporary changes made to your regular calorie consumption to reach a certain weight. 

Lifestyle Changes

As the name suggests, it is a way of changing how you live your life, including your diet. You won’t be doing anything to achieve a certain fitness level or goal but to maintain a physique free from any health issues. Lifestyle changes sometimes aim to prevent people with certain chronic health conditions such as diabetes, high or low blood pressure, different cancers, and more. 

If we have to make lifestyle changes, they will be permanent with a primary goal of taking care of ourselves forever to embrace a healthy life. 

How to Follow a Diet?

Many people pay thousands of bucks every month to follow certain diet plans and quickly lose or gain weight in a specific period. To successfully pursue a diet, you need to commit yourself. Here are a few tips you can take to conquer your cravings while dieting successfully.

  • Make a list of good food & bad food. Always keep this list with you and check it before eating or buying any eatables. You can get help from a dietician or fitness trainer to devise a list containing detailed information about daily nutrition intake, including carbs, proteins, fat, etc. 
  • Diets are temporary. Keep in mind that you can have all your favorite foods once you surpass the set goal, whether it’s about gaining or losing weight.
  • Stick to the same diet to keep your calorie intake steady & avoid going out with friends or family during the diet period. 

How to Incorporate Lifestyle Changes

Lifestyle changes are permanent and hence change the way you do everything. Here are a few examples of lifestyle changes that people generally incorporate for long-term well-being. 

  • Healthy Eating Habits: If you are into a lot of junk food, it is not good in the long run. One of the best things about lifestyle changes is that you don’t eat unhealthy anymore and never put on excessive weight. Whole foods perfectly nourish your body.
  • Moderate, Not Restrict: While diet requires you to restrict a few things, lifestyle changes are less about restricting and more about doing things in moderation. 
  • Regular & Consistent Exercising: With an approach to lead a healthy life, you should have a regular and consistent workout routine. It prevents physical issues in your body and improves flexibility.
  • Leaving Smoking or Alcohol for Good: Smoking puts you at the risk of developing over 50 health conditions. When you are undergoing lifestyle changes, better leave unhealthy smoking or alcohol consumption habits. 

 

Final Word

Lifestyle changes are the answer to people having no results from dieting. While dieting is just a temporary practice to achieve a fitness level, lifestyle changes help you stay healthy and hit forever. For more informative health-related blogs, follow us on social media.