Episodes
Thursday May 09, 2019
#26: Why Diet Programs Don't Work
Thursday May 09, 2019
Thursday May 09, 2019
In this episode, we talk about why we are we attracted to one-size-fits-all weight loss programs, why they don’t give us any real solutions, and what should be looking at instead.
WHAT ATTRACTS US TO QUICK FIX WEIGHT LOSS PROGRAMS?
We are attracted to diet programs (and their marketing messages) because:
- We believe we lack of discipline and willpower
- We crave certainty that something will FINALLY work for us
- We want a definitive end date (30 days, 6 weeks, etc.)
- We believe we will be happy, confident, and secure once this extra weight, - this barrier to our attractiveness and confidence - is removed
THE REAL SOLUTION IS MORE NUANCED
We don’t want to believe that the real path to deep, vibrant health lies in healing our relationship with ourselves as well as in an array of simple (unsexy!) lifestyle shifts:
- More vegetables
- Less reliance on convenience foods
- More sleep
- Being more active
- Understanding our emotions and triggers
- Addressing and working through our fears around our self worth, self-empowerment, and sense of belonging
MOST DIET PROGRAMS DAMAGE US, PHYSICALLY AND EMOTIONALLY
How many times have you lost the same 15 pounds only to gain it back (over and over) with interest? If this is you, you are not alone! Most weight loss programs keep us stuck in rinse and repeat, having to do the same work over and over again.
This cycle is damaging to us physically, psychologically, and emotionally.
Repeatedly feeling like a failure triggers a deep sense of shame and reinforces the narrative that we can’t trust ourselves, that we lack willpower, and that we can’t be trusted around food. It also reinforces the notion that healthy eating habits = deprivation and restriction!
After multiple diets, we’re left feeling frustrated, demoralized, and certain that nothing will EVER work for us. This only makes us MORE susceptible to the next new weight loss program, fad diet, extreme boot camp, or gimmick supplement.
Truth Bomb: When we give our power to a diet program, we are essentially paying a company to traumatize us.
THERE IS NO ONE-SIZE-FITS-ALL SOLUTION
We bring to adulthood a wide variety of emotional baggage, food traditions, physical/genetic traits, health concerns, and unique narratives about our worth and our ability to effect change in our own lives.
Based on this, how can there POSSIBLY be a one-size-fits-all approach to diet, exercise, and weight loss?! (Hint: There cannot.)
Our eating habits and relationship with food stem from a combination of:
- Our childhood food traditions
- Our sense of control over food growing up (scarcity, clean your plate, etc.)
- Our body image and whether it’s tied to our self worth
- Our innate ability to emotionally regulate or self-soothe
Healing our relationship with food, body, and self requires self-compassion, patience, and collaborative support.
Let us be clear: Healing does NOT happen through a rigid meal plan handed to you by a stranger.
WE NEED TO BE WORKING ON THE REAL ISSUES
- What triggers my emotional eating?
- Am I stuffing, numbing, and distracting myself from emotions that feel too painful?
- How can I meet my emotional needs in a healthier way?
- What’s the worst that could happen if I don’t lose weight?
- Where does my confidence and self-worth come from?
YOU MAY NEED SUPPORT
While it is absolutely possible to figure this out for yourself and we encourage you to try, you might shortcut the process by seeking support from others who are not in the diet world.
Jenny and I both do this work with clients, albeit from slightly different angles. We also have a network of people that we can refer you to.
We started this podcast because we want to help free you from diet prison so you can heal your relationship with food, body, and self.
If you’re not sure where to start, reach out and let us help:
Lisa: Lisa.primaltransformationsa@gmail.com
Jenny: somarecovery@gmail.com
Have suggestions for future podcasts? Please connect with us on our Facebook page!
xo,
Lisa and Jenny, Co-Hosts
The Mind Your Body Podcast
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