Get Fit: All or Nothing

All or Nothing people  see things in black-and-white categories most of the time. If your performance falls short of perfect, you see yourself as a total failure. Your thought patterns can affect your outlook on life.

All or Nothing dieting in my opinion is a mild form of Bulimia.  I say this because these types of people will restrict calories and then binge once or twice a week or a few times a month which is a common characteristic in bulimic mentality.  Most bulimics’ self-esteem is affected by how they perceive their weight and body shape.

Bulimic patterns:

1. mental concerns about body weight/shape
2. strict dieting/exercise rules
3. mishap followed w/ binge eating or excessive exercise
4. mental concerns about body weight/shape
5. vicious pattern repeats itself

The mental and physical anguish continues to repeat itself and it’s common among men as well as women.  They watch their calorie intake all week-long while at work or cooking at home, then on Friday somebody wants dinner and a cocktail then all hell breaks loose followed by a two-day weekend binge.

STOP!!  There is a better way, relax and take a minute to focus on the big picture, your overall health.  You need to make small realistic changes that you can stick with  mentally.  There is a distinction between healthy body weight and fat vs. unhealthy body weight and fat.  Too much diet or too much exercise can have negative results on the body and cause body function breakdowns.  There has to be a balance and tasteful compliment of nutrition and exercise for a person to maintain a healthy body.  One without the other is counterproductive.

Bulimia is a serious mental/physical issue and I’m not saying everyone is bulimic but if you know someone who suffers from the signs or symptoms then contact a healthcare provider for a professional opinion.

About the author:  David has made physical fitness and healthy living a lifelong quest.  He is the owner of a local fitness studio in Bowling Green.  He holds a M.S. in Excercise Science from WKU and is certified by the American College of Sports Medicine.