Ahhhhhh, spring! Wonderful, wonderful spring.

There is so much to love about the Spring - longer, warmer days, buds of colorful new life, and the enjoyment of being out in God’s glorious creation. There’s something else though that often accompanies spring – diets! This time of year, second only to the New Year, the number of people considering some sort of diet plan skyrockets. There is imposing pressure to look and feel good in summer clothes or a bathing suit. Summer vacations to the beach draw closer. We become bombarded with ads and social media posts about quick fixes to achieve that “bikini body” we desire.

Our mission here at Dashing Dish is to help people break free from the trap and prison of diets. We desire that you experience the joy and freedom of not constantly operating out of a diet mentality. Diets are not a long-term solution and the results simply don’t last. Today, I’m going to talk about how to enjoy this spring and summer victoriously, without falling prey to the temptation luring you to experiment with the myriad of diets and fad food plans.

Don’t “window shop” for plans!

One of the best ways to save money is to stay out of the store, right? The same rule applies when you want to save your sanity. Stay out of the “store” so-to-speak when it comes to dieting. Make a diligent and intentional decision not go “shopping” for the next fad diet, or fix-it-fast food plan. Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, you name it, they are all chock full of persuasive plans and products. Determine to guard your heart and mind by using careful and strict filters about what you allow yourself to be influenced by. The simple act being very intentional about what you look at is one the most powerful keys to holding your peace, steadying your path, and guarding against confusion.

“Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. Keep your mouth free of perversity; keep corrupt talk far from your lips. Let your eyes look straight ahead; fix your gaze directly before you. Give careful thought to the paths for your feet and be steadfast in all your ways.” Proverbs 4:20-24

Experiences matter, and memories last!

I vividly remember one spring several years back. I’d gotten sucked into this trap myself and was overly focused on my physical appearance as summer days by the pool drew near. One glorious March day, we were enjoying unseasonably warm weather here in Colorado. I’d taken my kids to a near by lake for a bike ride and some time at the park. On our way home, the kids asked if we could stop by a new ice cream shop for a treat. “Yes! Of course! It’s a perfect day for that!,” I said enthusiastically. The kids ordered their ice cream and we sat outside enjoying the day. It was perfect until my daughter - my beautiful, perfectly formed, completely body-unaware baby girl looked at me and said with concern, “Mommy, where’s your ice cream?” My heart sank. My eyes still well-up remembering it. I was struck by a huge “ah-ha” moment that day. I realized that I’d missed a fleeting and treasured moment with my children. I unintentionally relayed the message to my little girl that there was something wrong with that treat. I chose a plan over an experience, and a physical measurement trumped a memory. I regretted not having ice cream with my kids that day. I want my daughter to see my enjoying an occasional ice cream in complete freedom. Let me tell you - now, I choose the ice cream. This spring, when you’re tempted by diets, I challenge you to consider this question, what are you truly willing to give up and sacrifice in pursuit of that “perfect body?”

Think long-term

I understand that when you’re uncomfortable with the appearance of your physical body it's incredibly tempting to buy into seemingly honest and convincing diet, and workout claims. I think we all experience that impulse from time to time. I promise you this though, no matter how enticing a plan, product, or pill may be, you’ve got to remind yourself that diets. don’t. work – period. Sure, they may offer short-lived results. This time next year though you’ll be right back to worrying, wandering, wondering and sorting through the same diet plan confusion. Friends, resist the urge to opt for quick-fix results and keep your eyes on the prize. Long-term health and a free relationship with food are worth the effort – truly. There’s more in this awesome article that is sure to help keep you focused and inspired!

Examine Expectations

One of the reasons diets are so tempting is that they present “false,” or unrealistic expectations. Headlines boast, “Lose 20lbs in 20-days without starving!” To further the intrigue, they accompany it with an image of the perfectly sculpted, lean body you long for. It’s so easy to forget that we are being advertised to when we consider extreme, restrictive diet plans, or the newest product. We rarely pause to consider that, first, those are not likely real pictures. They are purchased images that have been photoshopped to perfection. Second, we need to pause and ask ourselves, “What are realistic expectations for ME?” When we separate unrealistic expectations that we can, or should, achieve the same look of fictitious photos, and consider instead our real-life bodies, we gain massive ground in the battle to overcome diet mentality. When we consider factors like our age and our natural body shape, offer ourselves margin because our body changed after the gift of having children, and truly consider questions like, “How many hours am I REALLY willing to dedicate to exercise in order to look like that?,” we are prepared to set realistic expectations. Keeping your focus on enjoying a real, healthy, balanced body will help keep you grounded and free.

Focus on true health

Finally, when you become overly focused on the desire to change your physical body, it’s prudent to remind ourselves that true health, lasting health is about SO much more than a lean or “skinny” body! True health is the byproduct of a thriving soul. A soul that has been well nourished by the one and only lasting source – God’s truth. When you find yourself tempted to succumb to diets, or suffer from preoccupation about your body and weight, turn to God. You can be refreshed by the knowledge that when, and only when, we focus our energy and thoughts more on the Word of God, and less on the ways of the world, that we truly begin to understand what health God’s way looks and feels like. Let me assure you of this, no bikini will ever be as sweet as that!

“Dear friend, listen well to my words; tune your ears to my voice. Keep my message in plain view at all times. Concentrate! Learn it by heart! Those who discover these words live, really live; body and soul, they’re bursting with health.” Proverbs 4:20-22