Discipline v. Deprivation

I love the movie, Chocolat, a 2000 romance film based on the novel of the same name by Joanne Harris. Not only because Johnny Depp looks alarmingly sexy in the film, and it is all about chocolate, but moreso because the story focuses on the seductiveness and enjoyment of food.  In the film, the town is practicing Lent (the Catholic tradition of giving something up for 40 days), and so all are abstaining from any indulgent thing, like chocolate. Well, the town’s leader, Reynaud, is as strict as they come with this commitment, but at the end is buried deep in chocolate  (and shame) come Easter morning.

Buried in Chocolate (Chocolat)

As a Health Coach, I think this is a fabulous example what can happen when people go on diets. If you have ever been on a diet, you know that most diets follow the rule of denying yourself something, or a bunch of things. Dieting becomes a balancing act of discipline v. deprivation, as you try to follow the “rules” of the diet, while not focusing on the fact that you can no longer have some of your favorite foods. This deprivation places the food in the forefront of your mind, actually causing you to think about it more and more, and making that diet even harder. Too soon, dieters ditch the rules and end up binging on a certain treat or forbidden item, completely blowing their diet, but vowing from shame to “do it right” the next time.

How about a little grace for ourselves when we catch our mouths full of chocolate? Rather than chose your next fad diet to go on, try to focus on eating healthier overall. Adapt your “diet” or eating habits to more wholesome foods from the earth, rather than the processed factory foods. Focus on colors (and no, not from dyes) of vegetables and fruits, and make a commitment to making water your primary drink, cutting out sodas and other sugary beverages. This “diet” will not only help you lose weight, but will allow you to eat a variety of foods, leave you satisfied, touch every flavor of your palate, and give you a little room for those indulgent treats when you need them. Afterall, who can give up a piece of dark chocolate? I can’t. But because I know I eat well 90% of the time,  I don’t obsess over a piece here and there, or a bowl of ice cream every so often. Actually, I find them much tastier and satisfying when I don’t have them all the time!

So, don’t diet. Don’t deprive yourself. Instead, choose a healthier lifestyle all the time, and still enjoy your favorite things!

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