Dieting Harder Mentally Than Physically?

Diet. That one small word can cause so many negative feelings: guilt, deprivation, starvation, and even desperation, just to name a few. People that have historically enjoyed a pretty healthy self-esteem have reported feeling immediately depressed and anxious the day they started a diet. We crave certain foods more when they are put on a forbidden list and want to consume calories when asked to count them. People have even admitted to praying for better results at a group weigh-in.

Consider the common “last meal” approach to dieting as proof of how much dread is associated with the process (and the need to justify a Chinese food binge). People planning to start a diet will typically overindulge on their favorite foods the day before, as if they never expect to eat them again. If the intention behind a decision to diet is so positive (and even the most tormented dieter agrees that losing weight is a good thing), then why does the process make us feel so bad?

It’s because we’re putting the focus on our outer appearance instead of our inner health.

Many of us can admit that being on a formal diet is harder mentally than physically. When dieting correctly, your body still gets adequate nourishment and many times it’s getting an even better nutritional intake. Sure, you’re likely eating less so your stomach many rumble a bit but that’s nothing compared to how your psyche may suffer. Most dieters feel as if they’ve done something wrong and their punishment is the diet. They need to make amends to their body for former food crimes. Many diet plans encourage keeping a food diary and, while that may help some better identify what they’ve been eating, it fosters a “confessional” approach to eating. Personally, as a working mom, I carry enough unjustified guilt without feeling bad about that afternoon biscotti.

The primary motivator to lose weight is to achieve a greater state of wellness. If you are overweight, you can be at higher risk for many serious ailments like heart disease and diabetes. Even if you’ve already been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, studies have shown that people who lose weight once having the condition are two times more able to successfully control the disease. The American Institute for Cancer tells us that losing weight can also help prevent certain cancers like colon, breast, prostate and uterine cancers. You will have more energy if you lose weight and will put less stress on your joints. There are many physical ailments that we can’t control but thankfully, our weight is one that we can. You should say to yourself, “I am starting a diet, not because I don’t look good, but to be healthier.” Don’t look for immediate results on a scale but make better food choices and increase your physical activity. It may take time to eventually lose weight your body will realize the health benefits right away.

When we’re dieting, it’s common to feel as if we aren’t good enough until reaching that evasive goal number. That is the very attitude that needs to change to be successful on any weight loss plan. What you weigh does not have a reflection (negative or positive) on your worth as a person. I’ve known many thin people that aren’t any happier, nicer, or more admirable than their overweight counterparts. I have myself ridden the weight roller-coaster and can’t say life was any better when I was at my thinnest. To be a successful (and happier) dieter you need to decide to lose weight to be healthier– not to look better. You should feel good about your appearance no matter what the scale reads and realize what makes someone a beautiful person is their spirit – not their dress size.

The best diets will focus on your well being – not getting into “skinny jeans.” Choose a diet that presents a manageable eating plan for life, not one for a few weeks or months. Changing your long-term eating habits will help you to maintain a weight loss. Don’t try a short-term “quick fix” that involves crazy soups, fasts, and vegan cleanse (no disrespect to Oprah). Avoid those diets that emphasize how you look over how you feel. Stay far away from messaging which implies you weren’t fabulous before starting a diet because it’s not only untrue but very psychologically damaging.

I love plans like Cinch, from the nutrition company Shaklee. Cinch focuses on health and wellness, while acknowledging that you’re already beautiful. It offers nutritional coaching because it cares about nutrition (not fitting into a bikini) and guides you to make the best food choices. The plan also recommends energy-building Matcha green teas, which will give you a feeling of natural well-being, and comes with metabolism-boosting vitamins and minerals for a complete wellness approach.

Many mainstream diet plans never talk about the importance of your nutrition or advocate supplements. Consider the diet that’s commonly known as the “liquid cleanse” which encourages you to live on a concoction of lemon juice, maple syrup, and cayenne pepper. As if that wasn’t bad enough, the diet also advocates taking a laxative tea twice a day. Sure you can lose weight on such a plan – heck, you’re starving. However, the purpose of dieting is to improve your health – not make it worse.

The key to being a successful dieter is to feel good about yourself – both before and after making a change to your eating habits. You should be proud of your decision to commit to healthier living and let that build your self-esteem – not have it torn apart through a dieting process. Instead of believing you are punishing yourself for past actions, you should applaud yourself for making this healthy choice. Adopt an eating plan that improves your physical and mental condition and you’ll experience an improved state of peace, health, wellness and weight.

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For more on the Shaklee products mentioned here or on the Shaklee business opportunity, please visit our Shaklee distributor website.