Seven Characteristics of People Who Are Winning With Their Diet
by Chris Mello
I have often referred to health as wealth. What makes people successful (and unsuccessful) with their money can also be what makes people successful with their bodies.
Debt is like diet. According to the American Statistics Consumer Debt Statistics, just under 30% of people are debt-free. That’s almost right on par with the percentage of Americans who are overweight and obese — more than 65%.
Characteristics of Diet Dominators
If you succeed at one thing, you can succeed in others. I found a post about the characteristics of people who have paid off debt, and I’ve translated it to diet habits and behaviors.
(For simplicity, I will refer to these people as The Diet Dominators in this article).
1. They are goal-oriented and have a clear focus.
Ever heard of SMART goals?
- Specific
- Measurable
- Attainable
- Relevant
- Time-bound
To be successful with your diet, your goals need to have these five elements. Diet Dominators are goal-oriented and clear about the path that lies ahead. They know they are progressing and how much they have left to get there.
2. They take steps to change auto-pilot eating habits.
Routine can be great or routine can be the enemy. Our brain craves comfort and routines. As a result, it requires hyper-awareness and focus to get off auto-pilot mode.
When it comes to our eating habits, we may tend to have the same breakfast, always eat out for lunch with co-workers, have a 3pm Diet Coke, have that bowl of cereal every night while watching TV to wind down, etc.
Diet Dominators are motivated to stop and find out the real reasons behind their behaviors — laziness, boredom, stress, social pressure, just a habit, or something else?
They will get to the bottom of their auto-pilot mode and be driven to change.
3. They work hard to identify wants vs. needs.
Diet Dominators understand the power of cravings. They are focused and patient with their food and drink. At the end of the day, food is just food, and if they want a
“CHEAT,” they instead think of it as a “treat,” and will “budget their treat” for a future date.
4. Comparison is the thief of success.
Diet Dominators don’t compare themselves to others success.
Instead, they are aware that everybody else’s life looks ‘AMAZING’ on social media or when observed from the outside. However, they do not let the vacation bodies of friends or strangers derail their desire to hit their target goals.
Some choose to simply limit their exposure to social media, knowing very well its negative effect on spending. Others stay on social media, but with the added awareness not to allow it to affect their debt-free goal.
5. They communicate openly, honestly, and regularly about their diet goals with their partner.
Your spouse/partner can be your best helper or your biggest anchor to your diet goals. Once your nutritional habits don’t become a trigger for fights, arguments, or discouragement, things will go more smoothly.
Diet Dominators have regular, open, honest conversations about their goals and reasons for change. Partners not aligned with their nutrition goals can become a point of resentment, because one is wanting to change and the other is not. Getting both on board or the same page is a game changer!
6. They are patient and disciplined.
Diet Dominators know there is really no magic pill to make the weight disappear (even if the diet world says there is). It takes a long term pattern of behavior and consistent actions on a daily basis to win with your diet.
They do not get discouraged at the amount of time it’s taking them to get to their target goal. However, if they do, they refocus on their goals, reasons, and plan, and know in the end they will win. The magic ingredients are patience, discipline, and commitment.
7. They are not afraid to ask for help.
Here is the BIG one! Some perceive asking for help as a sign of weakness. But, Diet Dominators know that properly managing food does not come naturally to everyone, so they guiltlessly ask for help because they see it as a sign of determination to make things better.
Help can come in many forms: it can be working one-on-one with a fitness Coach, a Facebook support group, or a motivated friend or co-worker. Help normally comes with accountability and support, which can increase the chances of success.
Are You a Diet Dominator?
If these characteristics describe you — awesome! Keep it up!
If not, they can.
Our team of qualified coaches can help you become a Diet Dominator, too. We’ll help encourage and motivate you one step at a time. Let us know how we can help you reach your goals!
