Diets Don't Work...This Does

Please take 10 minutes to read this article. I think this is spot on for what needs to be done to lose the weight and keep it off.


Taken from the following article:
http://www.psychology.org.au/Content.aspx?ID=3840.

PSYCHOLOGICAL TREATMENT PLAN FOR WEIGHT MANAGEMENT USING A NON-DIETING APPROACH

1. Education about why dieting doesn't work (outlining the physiological and psychological consequences of dieting).
2. Encouraging clients to let go of dieting and food rules
3. Encouraging flexible thinking rather than 'all or nothing' patterns
4. Teaching mindful eating skills
5. Reducing the focus on body weight as the outcome of interest
6. Identifying health and wellness values as the primary outcome
7. Improving body image
8. Building self compassion
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Replies

  • peterdt
    peterdt Posts: 820 Member
    I've revised the above recommendations to make a new set of "rules" for myself.

    My weight loss plan:

    1. Educate myself about why dieting doesn't work and understand the physiological and psychological consequences of “dieting”.
    2. Let go of my dieting and food rules.
    3. Be flexible in my thinking rather than taking an 'all or nothing' approach.
    4. Become a mindful eater.
    5. Don’t be so focused on reducing my body weight.
    6. Focus instead on health and wellness as most important.
    7. To feel good about how I look now, not sometime in the future when I finally am no longer obese.
    8. Have compassion for myself.
    9. To help others through support and encouragement in their weight loss efforts.
  • heybales
    heybales Posts: 18,842 Member
    deserves a bump, though this still probably isn't a busy enough time.
  • Chief_Rocka
    Chief_Rocka Posts: 4,710 Member
    dieting worked for me
  • MidwestAngel
    MidwestAngel Posts: 1,897 Member
    dieting worked for me

    cookie_zps85ee0d08.gif
  • RevNimue
    RevNimue Posts: 66 Member
    I've taken the same approach when I started this year. I found when I took the Diet approach all or nothing that personally I would fail and fall off the horse numerous times and finally just give up and go for another approach on the diet bandwagon.
  • quirkytizzy
    quirkytizzy Posts: 4,052 Member
    This is absolute sage wisdom. It wasn't until I applied every one of those rules that I really started losing weight and feeling better. Cheers!
  • dogo187
    dogo187 Posts: 376
    To see my approach listed to neatly is awesome!

    I tell anyone and everyone who will listen that dieting doesnt and wont work and that its about changing your approach to eating that will...

    Going to put this post on my wall for my friend to see!!!!!
  • amntsu
    amntsu Posts: 30
    Awesome plan for a lifetime of healthy living!
  • Coramae09
    Coramae09 Posts: 60 Member
    Exactly! Thank you for posting!!!
  • dogo187
    dogo187 Posts: 376
    bumping this...great article, probably one of the best ive read in a long time!
  • MaraDiaz
    MaraDiaz Posts: 4,604 Member
    The one thing that has helped me most as a binge eater isn't on there.

    Know your triggers, then avoid them.

    Maybe there aren't as many of us as I thought there were, though.
  • DanaDark
    DanaDark Posts: 2,187 Member
    I am a numbers and science guy.

    Attitude can change how you feel. It cannot change reality.

    I'd advise against ignoring food rules and diet rules. No matter how you feel, 3500 calories is still 1 pound of fat and eating above TDEE is still weight gain.
  • Lilymay2
    Lilymay2 Posts: 2,525 Member
    Totally attitude..!! So many of my friends have gone by the restrictive approach only to crash and burn.

    Mindful eating & eat clean food. No additives. Healthy is most important becuase you will feel better and can be more active.
  • DanaDark
    DanaDark Posts: 2,187 Member
    YOU ARE CORRECT. DIETING IS FRAUD. THE SCIENCE SHOWS DIETING DOES NOT WORK.

    OVER 98 % OF PEOPLE REGHAIN IN 6 TO 10 YEARS.

    THE REASON? B I O L O G Y/



    EAT LESS MOVE MORE IS A FAILURE AND NOT BASED ON SCIENCE.

    Holy dog snot, you're a troll aren't you?!?!
  • Hearts_2015
    Hearts_2015 Posts: 12,032 Member
    I've revised the above recommendations to make a new set of "rules" for myself.

    My weight loss plan:

    1. Educate myself about why dieting doesn't work and understand the physiological and psychological consequences of “dieting”.
    2. Let go of my dieting and food rules.
    3. Be flexible in my thinking rather than taking an 'all or nothing' approach.
    4. Become a mindful eater.
    5. Don’t be so focused on reducing my body weight.
    6. Focus instead on health and wellness as most important.
    7. To feel good about how I look now, not sometime in the future when I finally am no longer obese.
    8. Have compassion for myself.
    9. To help others through support and encouragement in their weight loss efforts.
    10. Learn your triggers and avoid them.
    The one thing that has helped me most as a binge eater isn't on there.

    Know your triggers, then avoid them.

    Maybe there aren't as many of us as I thought there were, though.
    :wink: We're here, trust me!

    Also thanks Peterdt for the list, great to see it all in one place in a list! Looking forward to reading the article as time permits!
    This is worthy of printing out and hanging on the fridge, mirror, work or anyplace else that's handy.
  • Emmabulliemum
    Emmabulliemum Posts: 294 Member
    very true I don't do DIET anymore ,this is a lifestyle change only when you drop the word diet do you really start to see your life changing
  • MaraDiaz
    MaraDiaz Posts: 4,604 Member

    OVER 98 % OF PEOPLE REGHAIN IN 6 TO 10 YEARS.


    Yeah, but I bet they get more enjoyment out of that 6 to 10 years that they were a normal weight than they would have if they'd just stopped fighting it and spent those years obese. Or died.
  • MaraDiaz
    MaraDiaz Posts: 4,604 Member
    I've revised the above recommendations to make a new set of "rules" for myself.

    My weight loss plan:

    1. Educate myself about why dieting doesn't work and understand the physiological and psychological consequences of “dieting”.
    2. Let go of my dieting and food rules.
    3. Be flexible in my thinking rather than taking an 'all or nothing' approach.
    4. Become a mindful eater.
    5. Don’t be so focused on reducing my body weight.
    6. Focus instead on health and wellness as most important.
    7. To feel good about how I look now, not sometime in the future when I finally am no longer obese.
    8. Have compassion for myself.
    9. To help others through support and encouragement in their weight loss efforts.
    10. Learn your triggers and avoid them.
    The one thing that has helped me most as a binge eater isn't on there.

    Know your triggers, then avoid them.

    Maybe there aren't as many of us as I thought there were, though.
    :wink: We're here, trust me!

    Also thanks Peterdt for the list, great to see it all in one place in a list! Looking forward to reading the article as time permits!
    This is worthy of printing out and hanging on the fridge, mirror, work or anyplace else that's handy.

    I'm starting to wonder if there is room for me in the biology side of the psychology of nutrition (convoluted sentence, I know!) just because so few seem to understand that there are purely chemical triggers to binging that aren't related to emotion and that can be controlled with avoidance.
  • MiTime2016
    MiTime2016 Posts: 50 Member
    The one thing that has helped me most as a binge eater isn't on there.

    Know your triggers, then avoid them.

    Maybe there aren't as many of us as I thought there were, though.

    Yes, there are as many as you thought, probably more.
    It's just that this article isn't really referring to those of us that are already there. It's more of a from the beginning guide on treating obesity. The article points out that so much emphasis on weight and food rules leads us into behaviors like bingeing.

    Good article ... thank you.
  • chamorita79
    chamorita79 Posts: 35 Member
    I have always known that diets dont work however it took me years and years of failed diets to come to the realization that what I needed to change was my perspective about life. I started a lifestyle change at the beginning of this month. I stocked my fridge with fruits, vegetables, lean proteins and other healthy foods and stored away the junk food(out of sight out of mind). I pay attention to portion sizes. I measure out all my food which helps with keeping track on mfp and I incorporate exercise into my day whether it be playing with my child, going to the gym or doing some housework. I try my best to be more active. I drink plenty of water. I buy and prepare most of my meals however on occasion I eat at a restaurant and avoid fast food and try and pick the healthiest items on the menu. Now and then I indulge in something i am craving however I try to eat a single serving of that item and of course calculate it into my daily calories. With all these changes I don't feel limited or deprived like I used to in the past on my diets.
  • peterdt
    peterdt Posts: 820 Member
    I am a numbers and science guy.

    Attitude can change how you feel. It cannot change reality.

    I'd advise against ignoring food rules and diet rules. No matter how you feel, 3500 calories is still 1 pound of fat and eating above TDEE is still weight gain.

    it's funny you should point that one out. For me, I love the numbers too. I think it is a balance. I still watch what I eat and count the calories. And I'm not going to stop. I need that to continue to become healthier. Perhaps a revision of rule number 2 is in order. :)

    Regarding the science I think every body is different. And due to the comlexity of the food combinations we need to eat to be healthy the benefit or harm any one food can do will take us decades if not centuries to figure out. This is very interesting and I look forward to what more reserach reveals. For sure we know most veggies and fruits are good. Processed foods bad. red meat bad. Strength training and cardio good.
  • peterdt
    peterdt Posts: 820 Member
    The one thing that has helped me most as a binge eater isn't on there.

    Know your triggers, then avoid them.

    Maybe there aren't as many of us as I thought there were, though.

    this kind of addresses binge eating:
    4. Become a mindful eater.
  • peterdt
    peterdt Posts: 820 Member
    I have always known that diets dont work however it took me years and years of failed diets to come to the realization that what I needed to change was my perspective about life. I started a lifestyle change at the beginning of this month. I stocked my fridge with fruits, vegetables, lean proteins and other healthy foods and stored away the junk food(out of sight out of mind). I pay attention to portion sizes. I measure out all my food which helps with keeping track on mfp and I incorporate exercise into my day whether it be playing with my child, going to the gym or doing some housework. I try my best to be more active. I drink plenty of water. I buy and prepare most of my meals however on occasion I eat at a restaurant and avoid fast food and try and pick the healthiest items on the menu. Now and then I indulge in something i am craving however I try to eat a single serving of that item and of course calculate it into my daily calories. With all these changes I don't feel limited or deprived like I used to in the past on my diets.

    sounds like you are doing great so far! I am doing almost everything same as you. Except sometimes I feel limited or deprived which is bound to happen when you've been at it for 8 months. watch the 6 month mark..... for some reason that is a difficult time for most people "dieting".
  • MaraDiaz
    MaraDiaz Posts: 4,604 Member
    The one thing that has helped me most as a binge eater isn't on there.

    Know your triggers, then avoid them.

    Maybe there aren't as many of us as I thought there were, though.

    this kind of addresses binge eating:
    4. Become a mindful eater.

    Hm true. You'll have to forgive me, ever since I realized some of my eating habits can be controlled simply by avoiding certain foods entirely I've been obsessed with it. :blushing:
  • mtabh
    mtabh Posts: 128 Member
    This is my plan exactly. Never seen it so well worded, though.
  • Vailara
    Vailara Posts: 2,473 Member
    They mention Health At Any Size, and talk about turning the focus from weight loss to health. It seems as if the intention is to improve physical and emotional health, rather than to lose weight.
  • kfesta52
    kfesta52 Posts: 98 Member
    I am a numbers and science guy.

    Attitude can change how you feel. It cannot change reality.

    I'd advise against ignoring food rules and diet rules. No matter how you feel, 3500 calories is still 1 pound of fat and eating above TDEE is still weight gain.

    it's funny you should point that one out. For me, I love the numbers too. I think it is a balance. I still watch what I eat and count the calories. And I'm not going to stop. I need that to continue to become healthier. Perhaps a revision of rule number 2 is in order. :)

    Regarding the science I think every body is different. And due to the comlexity of the food combinations we need to eat to be healthy the benefit or harm any one food can do will take us decades if not centuries to figure out. This is very interesting and I look forward to what more reserach reveals. For sure we know most veggies and fruits are good. Processed foods bad. red meat bad. Strength training and cardio good.

    If the "food rules" one is related to creating arbitrary rules for yourself that you're likely to break and then berate yourself (like, don't eat after 8, never have this or that food or food group, etc) then I still agree with that. But, we do have to acknowledge that the rules of physics, biology, thermodynamics and such do still apply! (ETA that triggers for binges might be one good exception to the "no rules" though.)
  • DIETING DOES NOT WORK. THIS IS WELL ESTABLISHED BY SCIENCE.
  • BigTnew
    BigTnew Posts: 22 Member
    dieting worked for me

    +1
  • KenosFeoh
    KenosFeoh Posts: 1,837 Member
    It doesn't mean much to me.
    As far as I am concerned, absolutely everyone is "on a diet". We've all got some style of eating, and that makes up our diets.

    The only thing that has ever worked for weight reduction for me is to go on a diet different from what I usually eat. This time I need to keep paying attention when I reach maintenance. What I've done in the past is go on a diet until I lost all the weight I wanted to lose, then I returned to my "normal" diet.