5 Reasons to stop dieting now!

Most of us have tried weight loss diets at some point in our lives; some of us are constantly on one of the numerous, severely restrictive diets available. Here is why you should resist falling into the “dieting trap”...

1.    Your metabolism slows down dramatically

If you are trying to cut down drastically on how much you eat, skip meals to try and lose weight and generally eat as little as possible in order to lose weight, you are not doing yourself any favours. 

Your metabolism will simply go into “starvation mode” as your body realises that it is not getting fed properly.  This can slow down your metabolism dramatically and you therefore need to eat a lot less before you will gain weight.

2.    Your brain rebels against the idea

When you restrict your diet and tell yourself that certain foods are taboo, it normally does not take very long for your brain to rebel against this idea. Your brain and your body literally have different agendas!  This may lead to cravings for and obsessions about food that you are not allowing yourself whilst on diet.

3.    It is better to eat everything in moderation

If you allow yourself to eat regularly and to eat everything in moderation, such cravings will not develop.  Us humans are strange creatures; as soon as we cannot have something, that is all we want and think about. 

It is therefore far more effective not to place restrictions on what you can and cannot eat - all the ‘forbidden foods’ become less desirable once they are no longer forbidden.

4.    It is impossible to keep it up in the long term

Although you might start a new diet very enthusiastically and you might stay motivated for weeks, it seldom lasts.  It is essential to find a way of eating that can be maintained indefinitely, otherwise you’ll just pick up any weight you’ve lost when you stop dieting anyway.

5.    Food should be enjoyable

Food is an essential part of our daily lives, and ideally it should be enjoyable.  We do not only eat to stay alive, but it has also become an important social activity.  

Allow yourself to occasionally include those foods that you really like but that may not be that “healthy”;  keep portions smaller because overeating is actually unpleasant; and finally, focus on enjoying every bite of what you eat.  Food is, after all, one of our most basic needs....

Image: © Monkey Business - Fotolia.com

About ILKE HAY
"I have a special interest in people’s relationship with food and eating. Problems associated with eating, obesity and overweight are problems that are becoming more prevalent and because of the health risk (and also aesthetic factors which influence the way we feel about ourselves), and these issues need to be addressed. That is what I endeavour to do by working with the client to develop a positive attitude towards food and by developing an individualised plan that will suit each person."
Qualifications:  MA (Psych) UJ (Research focused on eating attitudes)
Natural & Holistic Therapies (Camelot International) (including Diet & Nutrition)
Website: www.weightcounselling.co.za
Facebook page: Counselling: Weight & Food
Contact details:
E-mail:  [email protected]
Cell: 082-652-1823

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