Diets Fail

By Kelly Clark / Build Healthy Habits

Comments
  • We need to think long term
  • Indulgences are part of healthy eating
  • Learn how to make healthy choices your preference

When I was flipping through a recent issue of Flare Magazine I came across the following sentence in Health News:

Ninety-five percent of diets fail, and Dr. Yoni Freedhoff, an Ottawa obesity expert, wants you to know it’s not you.

A short paragraph followed about Dr. Freedhoff’s new book:  The Diet Fix: Why Diets Fail and How to Make Yours Work

What I like about The Diet Fix: Why diets fail

While I haven’t read Dr. Freedhoff’s book I agree on the following points:
Diets Fail

  • Most weight-loss plans are based on an unsustainable mindset
  • We need to learn how to integrate indulgences so we don’t feel guilty or deprived
  • Genuinely like your life with fewer calories

Dr. Freedhoff’s book points out 3 reasons diets fail. In the box below I’ve explained alternative choices that set you up for success.

3 Reasons diets fail

1. Diets fail because they’re based on an unsustainable mindset

Common experience:
People try to lose weight with short term weight-loss strategies. And that’s why they don’t work long term. You have to lose weight the same way you want to keep it off. The diet industry has made us think we need to do all these extreme things to lose weight, when we don’t!

2. Diets fail because they don’t include indulgences

Common experience:
Diets often suggest eating small, low-fat portions. But your body needs fat to keep you alive. While fat from a natural source, like salmon, olives, eggs, etc. are the best option, it’s not a big deal to have a sweet treat once in a while. In fact, if you eat that piece of cake at the office party, you’re less likely to overindulge later on.

3. Diets fail because people don’t learn to like their life with fewer calories

Common experience:
We often restrict what we eat when we’re on a diet. Then we miss what we’re used to eating. We are creatures of habit! However, when you lose weight by building healthy habits you get used to healthier choices. Then it’s easier to make good decisions.

We need to focus on building healthy habits

The diet industry has filled our heads with so many diet rules, tips and tricks. We need to go back to the basics and focus on building healthy eating and healthy exercise habits. Then the healthy choices we make become second nature.

There’s a great line in the movie Eat, Pray, Love:

If you could clear out all that space in your mind you’d have a doorway. And you know what the universe would do? Rush in! Everything else will take care of itself.

– Conversation from the movie: Eat, Pray, Love

It’s the same with reaching and maintaining a healthy weight. Clear out all the junk fed to you by the diet industry and build healthy habits.

Eat, Pray, Love Movie Trailer

 

 

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Why do your diets fail?

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