Avoid these 10 diet mistakes that I made
We finally have one nutrition resource to rule them all
I’m Brandon Wilson. I am constantly working toward improving my mind, body, and spirit using various ancient techniques and cutting-edge biohacking tools and devices. I want to be healthy, but not at the expense of being happy. This simple idea is what it means to be wellthy.
First time reading? Let’s get you in the club.
Programming note: Audio voiceovers are now for Be Wellthy Club members only. If you want to listen to the audio by yours truly, where I add commentary and extra content not found in the written newsletter, join the Be Wellthy Club at an introductory rate of $6/month, $60/year, which lasts through 10/31/23.
The word “diet” is a loaded term. You hear people say, “I’m on a diet.” Technically, everybody is on a diet. Whatever you’re consuming, that’s your diet. People use the word “diet” to refer to a regimen of limited eating or drinking used for a specific purpose, e.g., losing weight.
I’ve tried my share of “diets” over the years with mixed success. The general pattern is either it didn’t work, or I got short-term results but failed to achieve long-term sustainability. It doesn’t help that everywhere you look in the news and on social media, you see the latest fads and tribal diet wars. Keto this and paleo that. Carnivore vs. vegan. Low-fat, low-sodium. I used to think, “You all get together and decide and tell me what the best diet is.” I now know the answer is that no best diet works for everyone. OK, now what? Wouldn’t it be great if there were a resource that documents the best scientific research and provides the guidance and tools to help us establish nutritional strategies? I want The Ultimate Nutrition Bible, and it exists!
I have been a fan of the supplement company BiOptimizers for several years. I use many of their supplements, including Magnesium Breakthrough, Sleep Breakthrough, and Collagenius. The co-founders, Matt Gallant and Wade Lightheart, have a combined 60-plus years of real-world experience in the fitness and nutrition industry. If anyone can pull off writing The Ultimate Nutrition Bible, it’s these guys, which is why I was thrilled about the release of their brand-new book.
The tagline makes it clear: Easily create the perfect diet that fits your lifestyle, goals, and genetics. This book doesn’t push any specific diet; it provides the science and strategies to help you develop a personalized, long-term nutritional plan.
“If you don’t feel good on a diet, you’re doing the wrong diet, or you’re doing the diet wrong.”
I just finished Chapter 3: Top 17 Reasons Why Most Diets Fail. I wish I had known this information years ago when I was busy losing weight and gaining it back (and then some). People say it’s good to learn from your mistakes. I say it’s good to learn from someone else’s mistakes, too. Let them take the hit while you get the benefit with no consequences. 😎 I trimmed down the list and want to share my ten diet mistakes.
Ten diet mistakes I made
Mistake #1: Dieting too fast
Our bodies evolved with a starvation self-defense mechanism to keep us alive at all costs. When we significantly reduce calorie intake, metabolism slows, lean muscle breaks down, and hormones increase appetite and fat storage. The faster you lose body fat and the more fat you lose, the harder your body fights back. This is why so many of us gain weight back, plus more. As the tortoise told the hare, “Slow and steady wins the race.”
Mistake #2: No diet breaks or refeeds
A diet break is when you eat at maintenance calories for a week or two to keep your metabolism going. A refeed is when you eat higher calories one or two days a week. You'll lose body fat as long as your weekly calories are in a deficit. Some people call refeeds “cheat days” or “cheat meals,” but in the book, they suggest avoiding judgment and recognizing that these strategies are critical for success. I was always strict with my diet, and little did I know that I was self-sabotaging.
Keep reading with a 7-day free trial
Subscribe to Be Wellthy to keep reading this post and get 7 days of free access to the full post archives.