Okay, so you’ve started another fad diet. The last three seemed successful at first, but then you ended up gaining it all back again and you’re feeling kind of depressed and ready to give up. Then go ahead, give up. That’s right. Stop dieting. After becoming familiar with almost every diet there is through my family therapy practice, here is the best advice I have for permanent, stress free weight loss.
Stop Dieting for Weight Loss
I know, it’s sounds like giving up, but it’s really a different approach I’m talking about. Diets always give you a structured plan to follow…a narrow track to stay on. But once you start slipping off the rails, which is inevitable, it’s not long before that feeling of defeat comes again, and all those bad feelings. Why not give up the stress of restrictions, and the guilt that follows backsliding? That's right. Throw off the yoke of rules and regulations and eat what you want. Stop dieting and follow just one rule. Weigh yourself each and every day, preferably at around the same time of day.
Apply All You Know About Food and Learn How Your Emotions Affect Your Eating Habits
You already know all there is to know about dieting. What foods to avoid, like fats and sugars. You know that fruits, nuts and vegetables are not going to blimp you out like ice cream and pizza. You know about calories and portion control, too. And about getting some exercise, not so much to burn calories, but to feel more energy and feel better about yourself. Weighing yourself every day will keep you focused and help you understand how your eating habits may be ruled by your emotions. Eating makes you feel good. Eating also helps you feel better when you don’t feel so good, when you’re depressed, and especially when you see yourself giving up on a diet, when you realize that you are sabotaging yourself again. Let go of all those guilts associated with dieting, and get to know yourself instead.
