Before Starting a New Diet, These are the Questions You Should Ask

4 Questions You Must Ask Yourself Before Starting a Diet

Whether it’s a weight-loss goal, a burning desire to get back on track, or just wanting to take our health to the next level, we will all find ourselves starting a new diet at one time or another. It’s totally normal, love. But with so many options and conflicting information floating around out there, how do you know if the way you’re eating and exercising is actually right for you? Is this just be another passing fad or could this actually fit your lifestyle?

It can feel overwhelming, right? But don’t worry, I’ve got you.

Before you jump headfirst into a new way of eating/movement, here are 4 questions you must ask yourself before starting a diet:

1. Is this diet sustainable?

Sure, we can adopt a particular diet or intense workout for a short period of time. We can do anything for 30 days, right ladies? But what we are ultimately looking for is a way of eating and moving that we can maintain as a lifestyle.

So, before you swear off entire food groups, start obsessively counting the nutritional info of every morsel of food you eat, or sign-up for the latest “no pain, no gain” workout, ask yourself: Can I truly see myself doing this long-term?

If the answer is “no way,” then it probably isn’t the right fit. You want to gravitate to a way of eating that allows for flexibility and promotes health, not just weight-loss. It should be based on whole, real foods. And when it comes to movement? It should be both challenging and FUN, fitting both your personality and lifestyle. Because life is too short for workouts you hate, friend.

Let’s chat: Have you ever started a diet you knew you couldnt keep up with? Tell me in the comments – let’s be real about what works and what doesnt!

2. What is your current lifestyle and health history?

This is so important. Are you a new mom? Trying to get pregnant? Have you recently moved, gone back to school, or gone through a major life transition? Have you dealt with an eating disorder in the past?

Are you in perfect health… or struggling with your digestion, thyroid, or any other major health conditions? In order to know if a way of eating/moving is right for you, you have to consider what is currently happening in your life and in your body, as well as your personal health history.

What might make your best friend feel like a million bucks could set you back from your unique health/wellness goals or bring back some old, unwanted ways of relating to your body and food. So take a moment to take stock of what is happening in your world and with your health, lovely. What would you want your new food and movement plan to move you towards besides just weight-loss?

Is your expectation realistic considering what your current lifestyle/health challenges might be? For example, a 5 am boot-camp class isn’t going to be the best choice for someone who is struggling with adrenal fatigue (you need rest, friend!). A food app might reignite some old, dangerous ways of relating to food for someone who has struggled with disordered eating, and going strictly low-carb isn’t going to be the healthiest fit for a woman who is breastfeeding.

Remember, the right plan will propel you closer to your goals while taking into account who you are as an individual, where you want to go, what’s happening now, and where you are coming from.

3. Is it making your life BIGGER or smaller?

Ask yourself this honestly: Is your new diet making you fearful of traveling, dining out, or eating without consulting your food app? Are you starting to alienate yourself from your friends and family because of your workouts or rigid way of eating? Do you mentally beat yourself up if you miss a workout or don’t eat “perfectly”?

If so, your way of eating/moving is making your life smaller, not bigger. And we want a big, beautiful life for you!

While we want to honor the commitments we have made to ourselves via our food and movement choices, living in fear and limiting our experiences to connect with others is the direct opposite of what a healthy eating and movement plan should be doing.

It’s a big world out there, love… use food and movement as tools to help you enjoy and experience all it has to offer!

We Want to Hear From You!
Has a diet ever stopped you from enjoying a social event? Share your story in the comments below – your experience might help another woman realize shes not alone. Let’s support each other!

4. Is it coming from a place of love?

The intention behind why you do anything will tell you how the story will end. So if you are adopting a way of eating or moving your body that comes from a place of self-loathing, body hate, or to gain love/acceptance from others, the reality is you will still feel those feelings once you get to your “goal.”

I mean it. You can’t diet and punish your way into self-love. Love begets more love… but self-hate begets more self-hate as well.

Before you take one more step in your diet or workout plan, check in and see what your motivation or inspiration is behind it. Where is it really coming from? Keep in mind that motivation is often connected to a short-term goal, while inspiration comes from something deeper, truer, more lasting.

For example, an upcoming vacation can provide motivation to lose weight (a short-term goal), while wanting to be at a healthy weight so you can move freely in your body and have the stamina to live out your life purpose is a goal that comes from inspiration (a long-term goal).

Aim for inspiration, ladies. Adopt a way of eating and moving that comes from loving yourself and wanting to do right by yourself. Do it because you want to offer yourself every tool to make your life better and richer because you know you deserve it. From there, you will begin to make changes from an inspired and healthy place and you will be doing it for YOU, the person who’s love, health, and acceptance truly matters!

Join the Conversation!
Which of these 4 questions resonated with you the most today? I’d love to hear your thoughts. Drop a comment below and let’s start a revolution of self-love and healthy living together!