Fact: According to the American Diabetic Association, in 2007, Americans spent $58 billion on weight loss programs, books, surgery, etc.
Fact: Millions of Americans are trying desperately to lose weight for their health, appearance and societal pressure.
Fact: Americans are the fattest people in the world.
There’s something wrong with this picture. We spend billions of dollars but we aren’t getting thinner.
So why don’t diets work?
A diet is something you do for a period of time to achieve a specific amount of weight loss and then quit. Of course, after you quit, you gain the weight back. Here are four reasons why dieting doesn’t work.
You put your trust in diets instead of yourself
Every diet has an eating plan and detailed instructions. Each one assures you that if you follow the plan, you’ll lose weight. Time passes and you either arrive at your goal weight – which seldom happens – or you get so tired of adhering to a diet that has no relevance to your way of life, you go back to your old ways. Since you have not changed your understanding of food or your lifestyle, you gain the weight back, and more.
You don’t ask questions
Because a diet is very clear about what to eat, how much and when, you don’t have to think about it. But if you’re going to learn from a diet you should be thinking about it – a lot. Is it working? Why? Why not? If you’re told to only eat grapefruit for breakfast, you should be asking why. If the diet depends on consuming food the diet company sells, you should not only be asking why, you should be questioning every pre-packaged meal. How many calories does it have? How much protein, fat and salt? If you don’t learn what works for you and what doesn’t, you’ll go back to your old ways and regain the weight you’ve lost.
You aren’t convinced you’re important enough to take care of
How many times have you had to make a decision between grabbing a quick breakfast or leaving the house so the kids aren’t late for school or you aren’t late for work? You know breakfast is the most important meal of the day because it “breaks the fast” of the night before and jump starts your metabolism, but if anyone else’s needs pop up you decide to skip it – just this once.
You cave to pressure from family and friends
Once you’re officially off your diet, your friends and family assume you’ll be rejoining them as if nothing had happened. You feel guilty if you continue to “inflict” your new lifestyle on them so you join back in. That was the way you originally gained the weight and you can’t expect a different outcome this time.
It’s time …
Instead of finally grasping the fact that diets don’t work, you head to the next one hoping it will be different. It won’t. It can’t. Any diet designed to work for the masses isn’t individualized to your body or way of life.
It’s time to take an honest look at your life. It’s time to be honest about what – and how much – you eat. It’s time to decide if you want to let food continue to control you or if you’re ready to take control of food. Until you make a commitment to figure out how your body loses weight, you’ll continue to struggle. It’s time to stop being afraid of the hard work it takes and commit yourself to a healthier way of life!
Susan L Stewart
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I’m not a doctor, nutritionist or fitness expert. I’m someone who stopped dieting and lost 100 pounds. I’m committed to sharing what worked for me while asking you the questions you need to answer to come up with a plan for yourself. I am not offering medical advice and you should always consult your doctor before starting any weight loss plan.