I am sitting here thinking about this blog and I realize that as I am writing this, April is almost over. I cannot believe that May is next week.
4 Signs Your Diet Isn’t Working For You!
How has it been going for you with your diet and with your goals this year? At the beginning of the year, we make our New Year Resolutions, and determine we are going to do this and that this year. Sometimes, it doesn’t take long before we are not doing what we intended to, and are struggling to get back on track. Sometimes, we try our best to lose weight and get on a better eating plan, but we are struggling.
This doesn’t necessarily mean you aren’t trying, or even that you are not on a weight loss diet, but sometimes, foods we are eating aren’t necessarily the best for your body’s individual needs. Here are four simple signs that your diet and lifestyle isn’t working well for you.
1. You’re tired all the time.
If you wake up exhausted and are struggling by the end of your day, it is probably time to take a look at your diet and lifestyle habits. Are you sleeping at least seven hours a night? Are you eating healthy meals that keep you going and energized for the whole day? If the answer is yes and you feel your body is responding well to your diet, you may be deficient in protein, Vitamin D, or Vitamin B12, or you may not be eating the types of foods that are best for you.
2. You find you get sick often.
Symptoms are the body’s way of cleansing toxins. It is not unusual to feel “run down” once or twice a year — especially in the colder months — but if you’re always dealing with congestion, headaches, fatigue, sore throats, or other illnesses, you may be eating something that’s compromising your immune system. This could be a result of things like processed foods, sugar, alcohol, and other inflammatory substances. I would suggest that you increase your water intake and cut out all of the things listed above to give your body a rest.
3. You have trouble going to the bathroom.
I know this isn’t a subject we particularly like to talk about, but let’s be honest, this is a subject that has an effect on all of us. If you are suffering from constipation or Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), or even if you are going too much, take a good look at what’s on your plate in addition to the stressors in your life, which can interfere with digestion. It’s likely there isn’t enough fat or fiber in your breakfast, lunch, or dinner.
4. You have intense cravings.
Cravings can be your body’s way of telling you that you’re missing some vital nutrients in your diet. For example, if you constantly crave salty foods, you could have a mineral deficiency; or if you crave sweets, you may need more protein. You should take a look at your meals and make sure you’re eating a well-rounded diet, including plenty of plant and sustainably-raised animal protein. If you are a vegan and constantly have sugar cravings, you might want to visit your doctor and have your protein and vitamin/mineral levels checked. If you are getting enough nutrients but still find yourself overeating, you may need to nourish yourself in a different way which, for you, may mean meditation, yoga, something spiritual, or even get or give a few simple hugs. Each one of us find fulfillment in different ways – check to see if you are missing something in your life and have a void to fill. Don’t fill it with food, but with the right types of nourishment to nourish your body, soul and spirit.
The body never lies, {!firstname_fix}. You simply need to learn to listen to your body and understand the queues it is giving you. Take notice when things aren’t flowing well for you, and make adjustments accordingly, until you feel happy, glowing, and at ease. Learning your body’s queues can lead to you feeling satisfied and successful in your health and fitness goals, and bring you happiness and peace as well.
If you need help figuring out your bodily queues or how best to lose weight, feel free to jump on a free call with me so that we can discuss your specific and individual goals and health concerns.
Thank you so much for bringing this up! I experienced all of these when I tried to go vegetarian, then vegan, then raw vegan. Learning to honor your body is so important.