Guest Post:

We’re not talking real movie stars that make a living out of looking good.  Instead, this is a diet inspired by the heroes and leading ladies and men in movies.  True, you probably won’t win the 10k or break a world record after a two-minute training montage, but not all the success you see in the movies is fiction.  Here are six ways your favorite superheroes are dieting right.

1. Get obsessed.  A little.  And remember that no heroes you see in movies are counting calories or doing any of the multitasking that most fad diets call for: no desserts, no carbs, no gluten, no dairy, cardio, intervals, weights, etc.  All that is exhausting just thinking about.  Instead, try to go for a one-track mind approach to dieting by focusing on one or two very specific things only, like eating dessert only x-number of times a week and run x-number of miles x-number of days a week.  Think about what you think is harming your body the most (cigarettes?) and what you could do to improve the most (do yoga every day?) and vow to keep to just that for four weeks.  Don’t distract yourself with other goals or you’ll get either bored or frustrated, and those are two of any diet’s biggest saboteurs.
2. Get into it.  Rocky didn’t care about who was watching to him sprint up and down stairs or listening to him grunt like a Neanderthal.  He couldn’t have cared less that he was punching meat instead of a punching bag.  Exercise burns more calories if you put your mind to it than if you do it mindlessly at a moderate pace.  Researchers at McMaster University calculated calories lost by cyclists who did 15 minutes of interval training three times a week versus cyclists who biked five days a week for an hour at a moderate speed.  There was little difference!  The point is that you can accomplish more in less time if you go all-out.  Instead of jogging three miles while talking on the phone, run one mile interspersed with sprints.  If you’re stuck raking leaves, rake hard!
3. Don’t overthink it.  Thinking too much about your diet, exercise, and the results you’re getting (or not getting) will only frustrate you.  Rather than pouting that you only lost a pound this month, skip the moping altogether and go take the dog on a run right now.
4. Be oblivious.  Part of the overthinking bit can lead you to be self-conscious while you’re working out or while you’re eating.  Rather than worrying about what other people think of you, tell yourself that what other people think of you is none of your business and go about your way.  Don’t skip the gym because you feel fat today.  If you absolutely must stay inside (and let’s say that it’s because you don’t have time to drive across town and not because you’re feeling insecure), find an exercise DVD and get to work.  Focus on your food and your exercise and your body, not what others might think of them.
5. Don’t be a drama queen (or king).  Do you remember seeing Batman cringing at the sight of a cookie or steak?  Didn’t think so.  When movie heroes eat, they eat whatever is in front of them effortlessly and without a care—so should you.  Restricting your diet and labeling foods as “good” or “bad” has in countless studies proved to be a straight ticket to bingeing.  It’s no coincidence that women are more likely to binge than men (since women tend to diet more).  Known disordered eater Geneen Roth insists that “for every diet, there is an equal and opposite binge.”  So, punch that future binge in the face and eat what your body wants, not what your emotionally-starved heart and stressed out brain are telling you to eat.  Remember, food is fuel.  Stop eating foods labeled low-cal or diet (Batman isn’t afraid of calories) and eat real, nourishing, wholesome foods like whole wheats, nuts, lean meats, fruits, and veggies to keep you healthier and fuller longer.  Lastly, eat only until you’re full.  Batman doesn’t get food babies.
6. Crunch numbers, but not the ones you’re thinking of.  Instead of having vague goals like “look better in that dress” and “stop jiggling,” use numbers as your motivation to exercise and eat healthfully.  Don’t make it about calories or kilograms, either.  Superheroes only care about how fast they can run or how many people they can knock out in one minute.  Similarly, keep a logbook of performance goals, like doing ten more sit-ups next week or trimming your mile run down by thirty seconds.  Realistic and tangible goals keep you motivated, which means you’re less likely to despair and (inevitably) binge.

Bio: Maria Rainier is a freelance writer and blog junkie. She is currently a resident blogger at First in Education, where recently she’s been researching music degrees and blogging about student life. In her spare time, she enjoys square-foot gardening, swimming, and avoiding her laptop.