Theres a stunning dieting statistic that has been tossed around since 1959, when the clinical study revealing this fact was conducted and its still shocking: 95% of all dieters will regain the weight they lose within one year. While we would like to believe things have changed since 1959, in this case, its only gotten worse. Currently, we have even more dieters, (approximately 45 million people dieting on any given day, in the US) and because of that, an ever growing diet industry. And thats just the people we can keep track of!
One thing we know for certain, however, is that most of these diets are not concerned with long-term weight loss because if they were we wouldnt have a 33 billion dollar diet industry. They would do their job and we would move on.
So the question we need to answer is, with so many different diets, and so many differing approaches, and so many experts and books why are we not losing weight? It turns out that the very premise of dieting works directly against our biology, psychology and our inborn need for pleasure. And its these three dimensions that can help us understand the 3 key reasons why diets dont work.
It does seem counterintuitive that when working our hardest to shed pounds, our body is working against us, but its true. This is because our body experiences dieting as a stressor. When were stressed, we produce high-levels of cortisol and adrenaline (stress hormones). These hormones cause our body to slow down the rate at which we burn calories. Our body is intentionally slowing down our weight loss efforts, because it perceives our reduced calorie intake as a threat to survival. And all our body is trying to do is keep us alive and as healthy as it can, every day, all day long.
When we cut caloric intake too much, as far as our body is concerned, we might as well be on a desert island with limited food and fuel, and so we have thousands of years of evolutionary conditioning informing our biology that its in our best interest to conserve fat, just in case were going to be in low-calorie survival-mode for a long time. The bodys job is to keep you alive.
Most of us can change our eating habits for a week or two, or sometimes even a month or two, but most often dietary induced changes are external changes eat this, and dont eat that. Of course what we eat is important, but changing the type of food we ingest alone does not necessarily create long lasting change, because it doesnt touch on theedeep rooted beliefs, patterns, and behaviors that inform our food choices and eating habits in the first place.
If a diet only focuses on food choices and doesnt touch upon why, we keep reaching for foods that diminish our energy and health, then we are likely stuck working only on the surface level. In order to make sustainable changes in our eating habits, we need to explore why we eat, how we eat and who we are as an eater.
Long-lasting change comes from making shifts on both the external level of food choices and eating behavior, as well as on the inside, which we know as the psychology of eating. The mindset that we bring to the table, consciously or unconsciously is the key to our relationship with our food and body.
All diets have an element of deprivation, and theres often a no-no list of foods that we must avoid if we want to be successful. Restrictive diets require us to have willpower and an ability to stick to the rules. But the problem with this constraining, tough-it-out attitude, is that its no fun! Theres no pleasure, and theres no joy involved in becoming healthier! Theres no ease in our eating when we are being tight-lipped and controlling around our food.
And, whenever we are in this state of tension around our food, we create an environment of stress within our body. As mentioned above, stress causes a rise in cortisol and adrenalin, which diminishes our calorie burning potential. So were creating the exact conditions that makes losing weight difficult.
If youre not willing to enjoy what you eat and how you eat, then weight loss will be like the battle so many believe it to be. Diets dont work, but stepping into pleasure and exploring the deeper psychology of eating can
By creating a positive relationship with food and body we will actually support our biology and psychology in generating the ideals conditions for reaching our natural weight. Dieting is concerned with the exterior, but eating psychology deeply addresses who we are as eaters.
Warm Regards,
The Institute for the Psychology of Eating Institute For The Psychology of Eating, All Rights Reserved, 2014
The Slow Down Diet: Eating for Pleasure, Energy, and Weight Loss
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About The Author
Emily Rosen
CEO
Emily Rosen is the Director of the Institute for the Psychology of Eating, where she oversees business development strategies, student affairs, marketing and public relations in addition to her role as Senior Teacher. With an extensive and varied background in nutritional science, counseling, natural foods, the culinary arts, conscious sex education, mind body practices, business management and marketing, Emily brings a unique skill-set to her role at the Institute. She has also been a long-term director and administrator for Weight Loss Camps and Programs serving teens and adults and has held the position of Executive Chef at various retreat centers. Her passion for health and transformation has provided her the opportunity to teach, counsel, manage, and be at the forefront of the new wave of professionals who are changing the way we understand the science and psychology of eating and sexuality. Emily is also co -founder of the Institute for Conscious Sexuality and Relationship.
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3 Reasons Why Diets Dont Work | Psychology of Eating
