Non-diet: stop when you're full etc- psychology of dieting
jaz050465
Posts: 3,508 Member
I've read a number of books on the psychology of diets that say counting calories only leads to binging and feelings of low self esteem. This is true for me but not sure if I can lose weight by using this other method. There are lots of books like this- Paul McKenna, Eating Less by Gillian Riley etc. I'd be really interested in hearing from people who have tried this. Or- is counting calories the only way. I'm 48 and at the upper end of my healthy weight so that makes it much harder.
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They have a point it's all in the head after all, it's only us who put the food in to our mouths we don't have a gun held to our heads when we pick up that cream cake
Saying that though I quite like Paul Mckennas reasons for doing it to get rid of the slimming clubs, they have low success rates for people keeping it off long term and factor in the YoYo dieter to keep them going, I speak from experience having lost loads on WW and SW and putting more back on once fallen off
I like MFP as it's free, you have to be true to yourself and it gets you into the habit of exercising which is something I never really did with the slimming clubs.
Sorry waffled on there for a minute back to the question I combine Paul McKenna psychology of eating to my calorie counting and it works for me0 -
Any tool that can break down the problem into controllable steps which allows you to make informed decisions which effects a lifestyle change is a good thing. That being said i would like to see some of these programs effect some mental toughness my old RSM called it moral fibre.
There is more than one way to get to the top of a mountain.0 -
Maybe I should try and combine the two0
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I watched Paul Mc Kenna's programme (I can make you thin?), when it was on Sky years ago. I really liked the way he talked about it. It was recommended to me to watch by my surgeon at the time, who suggested (kindly), that I could do with losing weight.
I've never really tried PMcK's way, but I do find if I eat a big meal (until I am full), I am far less likely to overeat than If I have "snacked" throughout the day. So yes it kinda works for me, but I would also keep an eye on the exact number of calories eaten and try to combine them to make less bigger meals, than more smaller meals.
Everyone can recommend numerous ways to lose weight, but doesn't mean to say it'll work for you. So try both and see, try a combination, try everything, until you find that one thing that works for you.0 -
I've tried Paul McKenna, and seen a private hypnotherapist, and neither worked for me :-(
I've struggled with the psychology of eating when I'm not hungry for pretty much all of my adult life. It's been very destructive for me, both mentally and physically, and I couldn't even consider starting a "proper" diet when I knew I'd not last much more than a day without picking/snacking. Recently I've followed the Beck Diet Plan (it's a book: I got it for a few pounds on my kindle), and it has helped tremendously. For the first time ever, I feel far more in control around food, and happy that I can lose weight, and keep it off. Despite the name, it isn't an actual diet book, but a CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy) approach towards addressing some of the psychological issues. It's up to you to decide on a particular diet that suits you: I'm currently calorie counting, using MFP, and thinking about trying IF/5:2 as a longer term solution. I'm not saying it's for everyone, but it might be worth a look, if the psychology is an issue. Good luck!0 -
I have a deep distrust of any "system" that financially profits from people's weight loss whether that's WW or Paul McKenna or whoever.
I have logged calories and weighed food to facilitate weight loss and have had precisely zero problems with bingeing or self-esteem or whatever. I also don't regard myself as being on a "diet", I simply eat healthier, eat less and move more.
My theory is that "dieting" simply exacerbates feelings of low self-worth people have anyway. If you've always had a pathological relationship with food, e.g. not regard it simply as nourishment for your body, but see it as something which you turn to when depressed, anxious, stressed or whatever, then you're more likely to feel emotionally deprived rather than just a bit more hungry for a while.0 -
I'm also wary about the diet business, but MFP must surely also make money from their subscribers, indirectly, and I don't begrudge that. It's a tool I personally find very useful. The Beck book I cited has been far more valuable to me than other books I've read which have a higher cost.
It's great that you have zero problems with self-esteem, but, speaking personally, my esteem issues were most certainly not caused by dieting: it was way more complicated than that.. I haven't "dieted" in years, until recently.0 -
I've tried Paul McKenna, and seen a private hypnotherapist, and neither worked for me :-(
I've struggled with the psychology of eating when I'm not hungry for pretty much all of my adult life. It's been very destructive for me, both mentally and physically, and I couldn't even consider starting a "proper" diet when I knew I'd not last much more than a day without picking/snacking. Recently I've followed the Beck Diet Plan (it's a book: I got it for a few pounds on my kindle), and it has helped tremendously. For the first time ever, I feel far more in control around food, and happy that I can lose weight, and keep it off. Despite the name, it isn't an actual diet book, but a CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy) approach towards addressing some of the psychological issues. It's up to you to decide on a particular diet that suits you: I'm currently calorie counting, using MFP, and thinking about trying IF/5:2 as a longer term solution. I'm not saying it's for everyone, but it might be worth a look, if the psychology is an issue. Good luck!
I have read that in the past. Forgot it combined CBT with a diet. I'll look at it again. Thanks0 -
I'm also wary about the diet business, but MFP must surely also make money from their subscribers, indirectly, and I don't begrudge that.
I use adblocker. :drinker:0
