If you’re one of those sisters that has been genetically blessed, but still insist that you’d like to embrace a healthier lifestyle for overall wellness, then please don’t pretend that you may benefit from this article. And if, you are one of those sisters that needs to actually gain weight and so want to embrace a healthier eating lifestyle, then may I offer you a piece of advice (only because I love ya for the sake of Allah SWT)? Never, ever use the word “diet” when talking about yourself - trust me, it’ll save you friends 
And if you find that you don’t fit into either category, then welcome…
I think all of us know the secret recipe when it comes to diets and healthy body weight. It’s less food, more movement. Not so secret, right? So, save for the medical conditions that might stall this from working, why is NOT working for so many? Why is the diet industry a $40 billion per year one? Why do we keep buying diet books? Why do we keep following weird advice? Why do we keep gaining weight? Why, oh, why?
So, I really like asking questions and then hearing your answers
If you’re stumped, maybe our 3 friend examples can help.
Meet Laila – she’s the “Love it” diet example.
Meet Lutfiyah – she’s the “Leave it” diet example.
Meet Lena – she’s the “Lead it” diet example.
Laila is a smart girl. She’s finishing up her degree and is active in her Muslim community. She also makes the time to workout on a daily basis because she “LOVES” the feeling she gets after a good workout. Plus, she’s “addicted” to healthy food – eating it and knowing everything about it. Some of her friends actually refer to her as ‘nutripedia’ – she’s that good at telling you how many calories are in whatever it is your eating, or the specific nutrients or what the latest research on said nutrients has uncovered.
A tad obsessive? “Sometimes,” say her friends. But Laila loves it, she’s happy with it, and she isn’t about to apologize for it either. And if truth be told, the scale loves Laila right back.
Lutfiyah is a busy mom of three. Her eldest just entered Islamic school and her youngest jrecently turned two. By Lutfiyah’s estimation, she’s gained an extra 10 to 15 pounds with each pregnancy. She’s lost and gained the same 10 to 15 pounds on about 10 to 15 different diet attempts. But no longer. She’s leaving behind the cabbage soup, the “lean cuisine”, the low carb, and even a few appointments with the Jenny Craig consultant. Save for running around her children, she doesn’t get much concentrated physical activity either.
She’s frustrated, yes. But, she doesn’t want to waste another second on it either. She’s decided that she’ll just leave it. She’ll do her best with what she has – but that’s it. No more diets, no more struggling. And what say the scale? Well, he has no comment, (literally because he’s been put into storage).
Lena has been at times Laila (she thinks) and she’s been Lutfiyah too (this she’s sure of). She’s past 40 now, mashAllah, and says it was just time to take the reigns on her diet and healthy lifestyle, once and for all. “I get in my food pyramid staples for the most part, and when I feel like I want to eat a bag of potato chips, I enjoy that bag of potato chips. I take daily walks because I find that they help my overall well being too. I’m in control and inshAllah, that’s the plan for the rest of my life” She reports that she’s never been more at peace with the whole process and the results show too. Her complexion is clear, her eyes bright. She’s managed to keep all her medical numbers in a good range. The scale, like the medical numbers she gets from her doctor, is simply a tool. She checks in with him once in awhile – and he says he can’t complain.
Love it, leave it, or lead it? Laila, Lutfiyah, or Lena?
What’s your diet philosophy?
Which one will you, as the queen of Sheba, embrace?
