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The popularity and the push for dieting began in the 1960’s. During that time, Weight Watchers, Diet Center and Nutrisystem opened, medical reports on obesity appeared, Twiggy became renowned and a lower version of the height and weight charts was recognized as the acceptable standard. It’s been almost 40 years. Millions of people have dieted and are currently attempting to lose weight, but success rates on maintaining weight loss barely reach 5%. It’s been almost 40 years and there are mounds of research data that show dieting doesn’t work, yet dieting is a national obsession that keeps growing. The quest to be thin completely overrides the reality that, genetically, the human body takes on many shapes and forms, none of which will conform to a size or a weight we randomly decide we want to be. There is an alternative to starving in the name of health. The non-diet approach to weight problems focuses on wellness solutions rather than weight loss. This approach advocates no dieting, no food restriction, no excessive exercise, no food rules. Instead, it promotes learning to eat in natural ways according to the body’s needs rather than following a rigid diet that disregards hunger and food preferences. It teaches how to identify and respond to internal hunger and fullness. Upon hearing this approach many respond "If I do that I’ll never stop eating - all I’m going to do is gain more." This usually does not happen because one of the reasons people are overweight is that they diet (restrict/starve) and then end up overeating or bingeing in order to compensate for the period of starvation. When those who have been chronic dieters and/or chronic bingers learn how to listen to their body’s needs instead of following diet rules, overeating and bingeing dissipates, normal eating occurs and weight loss takes place without deprivation. The non-dieting approach emphasizes three factors: 1) Feeling good about oneself; 2) Eating well in a natural, relaxed way, and 3) Being comfortably active. This approach focuses on self- discovery, not willpower; on self-esteem, diversity and accepting people as they are without judging; with getting on with one’s life, not waiting to be thin before getting a life. Old rules for weight loss, as well as excessive expectations around fitness and exercise, are challenged and redefined to fit the individual’s needs. This is not an anti-weight loss approach, weight loss is simply not the one and only goal. A person is not only what they weigh, so trying to make changes that focus only on weight loss end up to be futile. The whole person, especially how they feel about themself, must be addressed in order for change to occur and for change to be maintained over time. Breaking the dieting cycle can be very difficult and very scary. There is much more to it than making healthy food choices. If that is all it took, dieting as we know it wouldn’t have reason to exist. We all pretty much know what healthy eating is. What we have to address are the thoughts and feelings that cause overeating and bingeing and that get in the way of doing what we know is healthy. We have learned to derive a sense of control and self-esteem based on what we eat and what we weigh. Think of the freedom that can come from not worrying about eating, whether the food is 'good' or ‘bad,’ and from being able to accept your self and your body. It’s time to really do something healthy for yourself - Stop dieting and start living!!
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