It's Not Your Fault
/Over the years, I’ve heard many similar versions of the following story.
“I’ve tried every diet under the sun. Weight Watchers, Atkins, South Beach, Whole 30, Paleo, Keto—you name it. And I’ve failed at every single one.
I’ll be good for a few days or weeks, sometimes months, and then I rebel or something happens and I can’t stick with it anymore. I fall off the wagon, eat whatever I’m not supposed to be eating, regain the weight I lost, often more, and feel guilty, ashamed, angry and disappointed.
I simply don’t have enough willpower and self-discipline. I can’t control myself. I need to try harder.”
Misdirected Blame
When we can’t adhere to a diet plan, we often go into self-blame and shame.
Rarely, do we blame the plan.
We don’t stop to consider that perhaps the plan has failed us.
We don’t point at the plan and ask: Is this flexible enough for my life? Does it honor my needs and preferences? Is it practical? Is it sustainable? Is it satisfying? Is it pleasurable? Is it kind?
Instead, we blame ourselves then go look for a new diet to feel better, to feel in control, to regain a sense of hope. It’s totally understandable. Diet culture has conditioned us to think and act this way.
In fact, the only winner in this vicious cycle is the $66 billion diet industry—an industry that has a 95 percent failure rate yet thrives on repeat customers.
The inability to stick with a diet is not your fault. Diets aren’t designed for long-term success.
Reclaim Your Power
The good news is, you can reclaim your power. You can exit the dieting cycle at any moment and return to the intuitive eater you came into this world as.
You can relearn how to listen to your innate body wisdom and trust it to guide you toward the most nourishing, pleasurable and sustainable choices for your unique being.
It’s not a quick fix. It's a pathway to freedom.