Dieting promotes a lack of self esteem, and encourages restrictive eating.
Anyone who has ever dieted or been around a dieter, knows that it makes
them more interested in food--sometimes to the exclusion of anything else.
When a person diets they tend to ignore their body's signals of hunger and fullness and instead decide randomly what they will and will not eat. Usually they avoid groups of foods--like breads, starches, fats or sweets. But, avoiding whole groups of foods means that eventually they will break their diet and eat these foods. When they break the diet, they will likely gain more than they weighed originally--another blow to their self esteem. Dieting sets people up to feel like failures.
Real success from weight loss comes from a lifestyle change--little changes that people continue to choose over a period of time--This will create a positive self image, sense of mastery and with time, weight loss. Some people require more changes than other people, depending on what they usually eat and what their weight goal is, but each individual needs to embrace a new way of eating. This frequently means choosing foods in a new way, with their health and weight goals in mind. So I focus on the foods that will make you strong and healthy, the ones that are consistent with your health and weight goals and provide the nutrition to fuel your body. That doesn't mean you have to stop eating all of the foods you enjoy, but it may mean that you have to stop eating them in excess, especially when you aren't hungry.
Additionally, setting realistic weight goals is easier when you decide to make real lifestyle changes--because you aren't looking for a quick fix. Instead, have a goal of 5-10 pounds and then make healthy choices that will promote that type of weight change. Make the healthy choices day after day, weekdays and weekends-whether you have a party to go to, or are at home...And the weight changes occur. You can always monitor your choices by asking yourself if the foods or meal you are about to eat are consistent with your health and weight goals, it is usually obvious when they are and are not part of your new healthy plan.
What is the right weight for you? The weight at which you no longer need to diet and watch carefully everything that you eat. The weight that you are when you choose healthy foods and a moderate amount of "extras" and feel contented after eating. Not everyone is the same shape and size, there is no perfect body, instead, we are all different shapes and sizes-just as we all have different personalities.
