health2u.co.za

Some time ago, I spoke to my best friend about diet programmes. He made an interesting comment that younger people tend to try the quick fix diet, while people from their mid twenties and upwards choose the more gradual methods.

Lately there are a couple of 12 week-programmes going around, which shows fantastic before and after photos. And in some people’s minds, these programmes are the more gradual method. Let me admit this, it is a lot more effective than the diet pills, which ‘burns the fat while you sleep’.

I’m using the 12 week weight loss programmes as an example for the point I’d like to make in this article. This would apply to every area of your healthy lifestyle.

The key to achieve long term health is in the healthy lifestyle, the daily choices you make regarding your health. It isn’t the healthy meal you eat once in a while that ensures your long term health, but the healthy food in your kitchen. It isn’t the treadmill in the outbuilding that will give you great health, but the consistent use of it. And its not buying that size 10 dress that will make you fit into it, but believing that you’ll get there that will help.

Now you might ask me about the 12 week-programme that I facilitate. Since I still believe that a 12 week programme is possibly a quick fix. When you start 12 weeks before your wedding to be in shape, and just get back to your old unhealthy ways afterwards, this 12 weeks was nothing else that a crash diet.

But if you use it to kick start your long term healthy lifestyle, it’s not a quick fix at all. Instead it gives you the time to leave some bad habits behind and get great new habits. To continue with these new habits would be much easier after a period of self discipline.

Something else that the 12 week weight loss challenge that I facilitate do, is that you’ll have a wellness coach beside you. I’ll motivate you to keep pushing towards your goals, I’ll keep you accountable for reaching your goal and I’ll give advice when new obstacles get in your way. This will make the transition from an unhealthy lifestyle to a healthy lifestyle so much smoother.

Although you’re on your own after the 12 weeks, a good coach should encourage you to keep on with the new good habits you’ve learned in the 12 week health programme.

After you’ve reached your ideal health situation, the next phase is maintenance. This is actually the healthy lifestyle you’re looking for and want to achieve. By living a healthy lifestyle, you keep your weight within normal ranges and keep diseases away. You’ll have the energy to get to whatever is important to you in your life.

A 12 week programme could be great or it could be a waste of time. If you go back to your old habit before the programme, you wasted your time and confused your body. But if you use this period to learn how to live a healthy lifestyle and continue with it after the programme stopped, then this is a really great tool.