In this ever-changing, anxious world, It is inevitable to run away from diets. From social media posts to magazines, ads, and billboards, the dieting culture is constantly promoting,  criticizing, and simply obsessing over our food habits. And if you are like many of us, you probably  had struggled to find the perfect “balanced” diet. The truth is, they are not supposed to work in the  long term, and they are not worthy of trying.

Over the years, our food intake started to sound more like “low-carb” or “plant-based” or “keto.” Each year, we became more and more consumed by the number of calories present in our meals, which food is good and which is not. We start researching vegetables that can help faster our metabolism, and we cut the ones that don’t. You start by reducing the amount of sugar you eat, then the pizza, then the bread, and so it goes. At this point, it shouldn’t be a surprise when someone says that diets do not work, and there are psychological and biological reasons for that:

THEY ARE STRESSFUL 

According to a study by the University of Pennsylvania, most diets fail mostly out of all the stress we put on our system, which leads our bodies to increase in cortisol (the stress hormone), which causes us to not only NOT “lose weight” but to gain more instead.

Besides that, the American Psychological Association has published that stress can result in high blood pressure and a weakened immune system, as well as physical effects such as headaches and sleep problems.

THE MORE YOU RESTRICT, THE MORE YOU WANT IT.  

When you restrict or forbid yourself from eating what you love, or even foods that you didn’t care about until three seconds ago, let’s say, on a low-carb diet or a vegetarian diet, you became even more “aware” of them to the point that these foods are all you think about, all you want. It creates a  “backward” effect, where your main focus is on the things you are not “allowed” to have. Not only that, but it can also make you feel like a failure for not being able to control yourself or lose weight.

WE ARE OBSESSED WITH OUR BODIES 

The truth is, we – mainly- seek these diets because we struggle with acceptance. Don’t we all remember those 90s models? And how magnificently (not really!) skinned they looked in the front of Vogue? Or that ugly Tumblr phase that glamorized and romanticized going into absurd diets to achieve “the more skinny you”? All the so-called trends collaborated to a generation growing up wishing to change themselves.

We put so much effort into how we physically but so little into how we -actually- feel that by the end, we stop noticing food for its enjoyment and indulgent capacity, and we start to  “measure” our worth on a number in a scale. Especially when you’re in school or college, your whole life seems to center on your appearance. You go home and check your Instagram, and all you see are top-model girls and super strong guys that look so different than you. And you wonder, how can I look like that? But the thing is….you don’t have to. And this is why:

It will not make you happy. 

Having a weight goal is like trying to save a sinking ship. Why try to base your value on a simple metric when you can focus on when listening to your body and its needs? Instead of counting calories, cutting out foods you love, obsessing over your body fat, why not take your time to invest in all those other things you love? Wouldn’t life be much more fulfilling? And yes, we know saying this might sound like nothing but a cliché, so try turning these words into actions. Here are few steps you could take to get rid of the diet mindset and live a more balanced life:

How to get rid of the diet mindset

STEP 1: DO NOT RESTRICT. LET YOUR INSTINCT SPEAK. 

Like we have mentioned before, restricting or cutting a group of foods from your diet will once  increase your desire for them. A better option than that is actively and thoughtfully listen to what  your body is asking from you. Today it may be a cookie. Tomorrow a bowl of fruits. Both are good.  Both are healthy.

STEP 2: BE MINDFUL ABOUT HOW YOU SPEAK WITH YOURSELF 

This one requires practice, a lot of it. And Hey, perfection is overrated. So don’t stress about it.  Whenever you think about yourself, try not to give compliments or criticism to your physique. Because your passions, your principles, your opinions are what truly matter. So focus on that, let go of the rest.

Your time and peace are more important than your weight. If we could give one last piece of advice,  try – as much as you can – to see your life at its full. You don’t need, and you definitely should not spend days, weeks, and years trying to achieve “a perfect weight” that simply does not exist. So please, eat that slice of cake, wear that dress, and work out – whenever you can – because it is good for your heart.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is an example of a diet mentality?
A diet mentality focuses on restricting food intake, leading to disordered eating habits.

What is mindset eating?
Mindset eating involves making conscious food choices based on emotional and psychological factors.

Is losing weight a mindset?
Losing weight is not solely a mindset issue; it involves a combination of dietary changes, exercise, and mental preparedness.

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