As we close out the first month of a new year, many people use this time to make positive changes in their lives and set intentions for the year ahead.

According to countless studies, weight loss is at the top of that list year after year.

As a women’s empowerment coach, I teach my clients that our problems are not manifested because of how our body looks, rather by how we treat ourselves and our bodies. Often sadly, with little care or respect. So, our goal together is to dig deep and set up a healthy lifestyle plan – body, mind and spirit.

Our problems are not manifested because of how our body looks, rather by how we treat ourselves and our bodies. @laurafenamore (Click to Tweet!)

As far as weight release is concerned, they will often seek my advice as to which diet plan I think is the best. Fad diets come and go and that is why I personally choose a weight of living that works for me, rather than something that someone tells me is good for me.  However, I do pay attention to the buzz out there and in 2018 the top Google search for diets was the Keto diet.

(The ketogenic diet was developed to reproduce the success of fasting to treat epilepsy. While popular in the 1920’s and 1930’s, it was largely abandoned in favor of new anticonvulsant drugs. However, it continues to be used in current times for epilepsy management with success particularly in children. In a nutshell your keto breakdown is as follows, 75% fat, 25% protein and 5% carbs).

And full disclosure, I tried Keto for 30 days in mid-2018. I can tell you that while it was an interesting experiment for me to eat massive quantities of fat, it could never work for me as a lifestyle and I guess I did not do it correctly, because I GAINED WEIGHT. Plus, it was just too restrictive and out of my personal comfort zone. However, I wanted to try it, so I could talk about it if anyone asked me.

I always advise my clients to take into consideration what their goals are and what they think they can sustain over their lifetime. And personally, I do not think that Keto is something that can be sustainable for the average person.

So, let me explain what the keto diet has to do with my intention (always) to empower people around the world?

This heightened interest in Keto is likely what prompted celebrity trainer Jillian Michaels to proclaim in Women’s Health magazine earlier this month that the Keto diet is a “Bad plan, for a million reasons”.

After Michaels made her views public, she was called out by many people, not the least of which were TV personalities Andy Cohen and Al Roker.

Cohen called her “Jack hole of the day” on his Watch What Happens Live show and Roker took to Twitter to say her conduct on The Biggest Loser of “bullying, deprivation and manipulation” were bad ideas. Michaels responded on Twitter by saying “…how about a civil intelligent debate on the 6 Keys book and keto instead of personal attacks and name-calling?”

This is an example of how public discourse in our society has devolved into negative and personal criticism.

Many people will point to our political landscape as the source of this sea change in how common and acceptable it has become to make personal attacks on others in a public forum.

Also, the fact that so many people can be anonymous while sharing their opinions online has given a safe haven to say things one might not say if their real name was on public display.

I don’t make new year’s resolutions because I have a long standing daily practice which I fine tune throughout the year.

However, I do resolve to remain positive in my interactions with others whether it be in public or in private.

And I believe the world would be a better place if we all set that as a goal.

How about you?

If you disagree with someone, have you found a way to let it go with love?

I welcome your comments below.

Laura Fenamore, Body Image Expert, Coach and acclaimed Author is on a mission to help women around the world end the constant battle with their bodies and start adoring who they see in the mirror. Her approach walks students and readers through the heartfelt journey to self-love at any size or age by unlocking the secrets to a lifetime of emotional, physical and spiritual health. After overcoming a lifelong battle with addiction, obesity, and eating disorders, Laura released 100 pounds – keeping it off for more than 28 years. She chronicles this journey to self-love and health in her widely acclaimed book, Skinny, Fat, Perfect: Love Who You See in the Mirror. Learn more about Laura’s programs, or invite her to speak by visiting SkinnyFatPertect.com.

Image courtesy of Luke Porter.