How to Stop Dieting and Start Eating, because We All Know Diets Don’t Work

What’s it going to be this time? Intermittent Fasting, Noom, some type of 14 or 21 day fix?

Can I ask you why?  If you’ve tried dieting before, and it didn’t work, what’s different this time?   A new diet that promises better results?  You have a better reason, like a wedding or vacation to motivate you?  Someone is going to do it with you, solidarity!

Hate to break it to you, but most diets end in failure… but you already knew that, didn’t you?  Diets are built on restrictions and rules, people are not.  Diets take food away, or calories, or both.  I don’t know about you, but I don’t want to suffer through the rest of my years missing ice cream and forcing myself to eat mushrooms (at least not cooked mushrooms- hard pass).  Any eating plan that labels food, good/bad or more/less, makes you think if you eat something on the bad list, you’re bad, or if you choke down another [insert food here that is “healthy” but you don’t like] you’re good.  Eating is not about being bad or good.  It’s about fueling your body with the best fuel for you.  That means food you like and feel good eating.

I’ve been there, I’ve dieted, and it wasn’t that fun.  I didn’t like passing up foods I enjoy (buffalo chicken dip, bacon, cheese!) when at a party/out with friend.  Or eating a salad for lunch every….single…day, so much chewing.  Not a fan of watching the clock to see the next time I can eat, news flash, I eat all the time.  So I stopped dieting.  I started listening to my body.  My weight settled where it’s supposed to be (based on my genetics, eating habits, activity level), NOT where society, google, the media tells me it should be.  I enjoy ALL food without guilt.  

So how do you stop dieting?  

Accept your body for what it is.  I don’t care about the number on the scale.  Weight is an objective number, it should have absolutely no impact on how you feel about yourself, or how your day is going to go.  Genetics plays a big factor in your body size and shape, sometimes what you want your body to look like isn’t realistic.  Try to find something you love about your body and go from there.  

Listen to your body.  I feel better when I eat better.  Ever go on vacation and live off pizza and waffles for a week?  Sounds fun, but when I get back from something like that, I’m dying for a salad, a stir fry, some eggs and fruit.  That’s my body telling me I run better, more efficiently, more effectively on certain foods.  LISTEN TO YOUR BODY.  It will tell you what it needs.  

Ignore other people.  Other people don’t know what’s good for you.  A very obvious example is someone telling you almonds are a super food and you should eat a serving a day….great advice….except if you’re allergic to almonds.  Nutrition advice is not a one size fits all approach. Vegetarian, Flexitarian, Gluten Free, smoothies, protein bars, whatever someone swears by, might be good for them, but only you know if it’s good for you.  You want to eat that donut?  You do you, and ignore everyone else.

So this year, make the New You someone who is kinder to themselves, someone who listens to their body when it tells them they’re hungry or full or wants a particular food.  Someone who eats without guilt or shame.  Trust your innate ability to live a healthy, well balanced happy life WITHOUT dieting.

If you feel like you are struggling with repeat dieting, or just need someone to help guide you and support you as you learn to trust your body.  We’re here to help.

Stay Happy, Stay Healthy

This blog was written by Chris Henigan MS, RD, LDN, co-founder of Simple Start Nutrition.  For more blog posts and nutrition information follow @simplestartnutrition on Instagram and Facebook.  Also feel free to contact us, by visiting our website (simplestartnutrition.com) to schedule an appointment to discuss your nutrition related needs.