Did you know that 95% of dieters will regain their weight in 1-5 years? Restrictive diets lead to feelings of deprivation, which leads to binge eating, followed by guilt and shame. You respond to these negative feelings by starting another new diet. This leads to a chronic diet-no diet cycle.
Constant dieting is exhausting, emotionally draining, and you don’t create any sustainable change. You are constantly thinking about food in negative ways and the diets don’t address your emotional relationships with food.
The key to creating long-lasting change comes with a mindset shift. We should be practicing intuitive eating instead of dieting. Intuitive eating incorporates a blend of nutrition and psychology. It is important to develop a healthy relationship with food. We need to learn how to manage emotional eating. Keep a food journal to create awareness of why and when you are eating comfort foods, or craving sweets.
Focus on your mealtime experiences and be mindful of the foods you are eating. Tune into your body’s hunger and fullness cues. Find satisfaction by savoring different flavors, textures, smells, and tastes. Savor and enjoy limited quantities of the junk foods you crave. Replace your negative thoughts about foods with positive ones.
As always, if you need help with keeping a food journal or practicing intuitive eating, get in touch with me. Together we can create a plan for keeping you at a healthy weight for the long run.