WHY DIETS DON'T WORK

Ever wonder why there are so many diets to choose from? The simple answer is because none of them work. The national obsession with dieting is a very real problem. If the only thing you take from this article is the fact that diets don't work - I'll still consider it to have been successful. Apart from the fact that being on a diet is a miserable place to be, the proven fact is :

95% of all dieters will regain the weight they lose within one year.

Let me repeat that for you.

95% of all dieters will regain the weight they lose within one year.

That is a truly staggering statistic which is well proven by many reputable, leading scientific research studies. Most diets are not concerned with long term weight loss. They promise a quick fix. Think about this, if they did work, there wouldn't be any need for the multi-billion pound diet industry would there? Of course, the fad diet promoters will not tell you this. They want you to 'buy into' their particular diet which promises you the earth. So, how many diets have you tried? Be honest. Chances are that because you're reading this article, they have all failed. Now read on to learn why diets don't work.

OK, so far, we haven't talked about calories. That's deliberate because only sad people on diets concern themselves with calories. The idea that someone on a slimming diet ought to eat a dinner consisting of precisely 500 - 600 calories is ridiculous. How can a person weighing 12 stone be satisfied or properly nourished by the same meal prescribed for an 8 stone person? That's just another reason why diets don't work. You'll get the idea that I'm not in favour of any type of dieting regime.

Why Diets don't work.

There are several sound reasons why diets don't work.

Reason 1. Biologically, diets slow down weight loss – why? Because when we restrict calorie intake, our biological system perceives this as a stressor and releases hormones which actually slows down the rate at which we burn calories. Our bodily system sees this restriction as a famine and seeks to conserve calories. In effect our biology is working against our attempt to lose weight.

Reason 2. No diet will create sustainable change in eating habit. Why? Because diets do not address the deep-rooted beliefs and behaviours that create the established eating pattern. Long lasting change in established eating pattern can only be accomplished by addressing the psychology that leads to an alteration in the relationship with food.

Reason 3. Diets don't address the problem of emotional hunger (comfort eating).

Reason 4. Diets are a miserable place to be. Ask anyone who has been a serial dieter and they will tell you being on a diet isn't fun. Dieters feel deprived, hungry, guilty and are obsessed with food and calorie counting. The mind of a Dieter is constantly focussed on food, calories, impending weighing session, bathroom scales and other members of the diet 'club'. Many diets are restrictive not only in calorie intake but also offer a limited choice of foods from which to select. Diets have a set of 'rules' to follow. They require 'willpower', require commitment and are controlling. None of this is particularly nice and raises tension and stress levels. There's that stressor release again (see 1 above). Many dieters don't enjoy what they eat - it's simply a continual battle with food and a thoroughly miserable place to be.

• All Dieters worry about the food they consume.
• They divide food into 'good' and 'bad'
• They think about food almost constantly
• They feel hungry and/or guilty most of the time
• Most do not enjoy being on a diet

No wonder then that diets don't work. You will know people who have been on diets for years. Maybe you have yourself and there is one overriding factor - Most have gained weight or lost weight temporarily only to put it or more back on within a short time. The fact is that most members of diet clubs are repeat customers. Think about it - If the diet actually worked, there would be no need for repeat customers.

DIETING IS NO MORE THAN A COURSE IN HOW TO PUT ON WEIGHT AND MAKE YOURSELF FEEL MISERABLE.

What's required is a new relationship with food which establishes a new and healthy regular eating pattern. One which is both positive and enjoyable and one which addresses those psychological, emotional hunger triggers. Only when that happens will you lose weight and never find it again.

If you really do want to become slimmer - forever - YOU CAN and I can help you do it in a supportive, sympathetic and effective program which if you follow and stick to, I guarantee will work for you.

If you want to lose weight, why not contact me? I can help.

Ian McLeod CHP(NC), MNSHP&M, DPLT

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