Let’s change the conversation!

Talking about being “healthy” is an American obsession. In my experience, 17 years living and working abroad, people beyond our shores do not constantly discuss calories, fat or what kind of diet they are following, as a daily conversational topic.  And in my observations, unless these distant cultures adapt our US eating habits, they have lower rates of obesity than we do.

Yes, I’m aware that being healthy is complicated with issues like socio-economic status, parental guidance, cultural influences, advertising and marketing pressure, as well as governmental advice. However, a change in conversation just might ease the stress on our willpower, and who knows offer something rewarding in the end.

What if health promotion advocates steered the conversation away from diet? What if the next lunch and learn event was devoted to employee hobbies or interests? Anything besides calories, weight loss or DIET! I use myself for example, if chocolate is in the house, or I see a tasty advertisement, I want it, then I search for it and eventually I will eat it, end of story.

However, if it is not at home, or not in my radar, then the choice is not there, and I don’t have to use unnecessary willpower to overcome the decision. I have made life easier for myself. Maybe the same applies to diet, that this constant barrage of information is actually counterproductive to an individual’s desire or not to change. In other words, it’s just too much pressure.

Recently I had the joy of reading Roy Baumeister and John Tierney’s, “Willpower: Rediscovering the Greatest Human Strength.” In the chapter on dieting, the following three principles are outlined:

1. Never go on a diet.
2. Never vow to give up chocolate or any other food. (Why I bought the book!)
3. Whether you are judging yourself or judging others, never equate being overweight with having weak willpower.

If we take these three principles to heart and I do, finding creative methods to implement, in a society of over-saturation, will be challenging, but not impossible. Let’s think hypothetically for a moment, what if health promotion advocates took a sabbatical for one year on worksite diet initiatives?  Employees would then not be faced with diet mania. It would also free up time for alternative endeavors.

A major portion of worksite nutrition programs that I have witnessed, deal primarily with eliminating or restricting certain foods. If there is no formalized diet plan offered, then individuals are not imposed or forced into “giving up something” in the first place. In addition, by eliminating diet talk, events, programs etc. the negative character or judgmental component is diminished. This boosts a more even playing field for all individuals, by not singling out the dieters.

It is also aligns with the research of business guru Marcus Buckingham who promotes working to build on an individual’s strengths, as opposed to constantly trying to change their perceived weaknesses. In other words, get people to do more of what they enjoy and are good at, which creates energy and enthusiasm.

Certainly I can hear it now, oh with the obesity crisis, how could you advocate for removing “diet” from the conversation? It is my own personal opinion and experienced perspective, that for many individuals obsession of a particular behavior does not necessarily lead to positive change. For example, the war on drugs, the war on terror, the war on poverty, and now the war on obesity, are these campaigns working? I think the jury is still out, and maybe there is opportunity to try a new approach.

While separating individuals from advertising, marketing and the constant barrage of health information is not entirely feasible, offering options outside of the diet dialogue, in the workplace, is possible. I propose a year sabbatical and while they may be too tall an order, what if the next challenge in the worksite was “The Diet-Free Challenge”?

Six weeks of how you did not diet, and what you did with this time. I can see the marketing success story already; I painted my back porch furniture, instead of completing an online computer program on weight loss. Controversial maybe? Realistic yes! Fun and rewarding most definitely!