why do you think diets fail?

Why do you find diets fail? What is it that happens when you start a diet and then fall off it?

Skylar

IMHO, people are too much of an "All or Nothing" mentality. If we go a few days with eating right, taking the vitamins, exercising, we're motivated as hell cause the slate is clean - no screw ups.  But as soon as that slate gets one screw up on it; Bang - we want out.  We throw our hands up in the air and say "Ta hell wit dis" and head for a cheeseburger.

I know that I am guilty of doing that.  And the majority of the people I've dieted with are guilty of it too (and I've dieted A LOT with A LOT of people.)

We're too quick to jump ship.  We see a bump in the road and we jump ship.  Truth is, that's bull**** because, like Shari said: We can do HARD things.

I'm a firm believer that only some diets don't work.  I think the majority of diets out there DO work but require committment and the ability to NOT jump ship when a screw up happens.  But so few of us can do that - that's why diets fail - because we fail to adhere to the diet.

There are definitely periods in every diet where you won't see results.  Me, for example; I have been freakin' perfect for 5 weeks and I'm getting no where.  Why? No clue.  But I know the problem is with my body, not the diet.

I'm off my soapbox.

Love ya!

For me I don't think diets work I think some a lot of the reason is what the previous poster said once we get a little off track we tend to just say oh well and throw in the towel and give up.  But the reason I also believe diets do not work is because even if you follow that diet exactly the way you're supposed to all the way to the end and get to your goal weight and then you let yourself go back to eating "normal" you will most likely gain all the weight back and then some.  That's why at least for me I think it's more important to make a lifestyle change then "diet".  Only do what you're able to keep up for a lifetime.  I really believe that's what is going to help me be successful this time and keep the weight off.  I haven't cut out anything from my diet (with the exception of eating out but I will be adding that also back), I have simply added moderation.  I weigh and measure everything to be sure I'm only getting one serving and I also write down what I eat and keep a track of calories, this is something I know I'm ok to do for a lifetime.  Also I exercise everyday (there are days here and there I may skip), and I also know this is something I'm willing and committed to keeping up.  

For me I really think a life style change is the key to being successful and most importantly keeping the weight off for good.


Johnita

I also am a believer diets don't fail, people fail diets.

Life throws us curve balls, so I think it's complicated that you can pinpoint it to one reason why it fails.  Some people have some serious food disorders.  Some people just flat out don't have the strength.  Some people have medical problems or even take medication that helps them gain or makes it harder for them to lose.  Some people are emotional eaters, so when their life is hectic, they can't handle it so they go to food.  Some people are social eaters and all their friends eat in restaurants.   Those ladder of course can be overcome if worked at a lot easier than disorders.  

Failure. Self Control.  Strength.  Habits.  Addiction.  Deprivation.  Motivation.  Commitment. 

Those I think are reasons why people fail diets.  Those words right there says a lot.  I was thinking back on the many times that I have lost weight in the past.  I have realized that out of all of them, it was when I wasn't making too much of a fuss over it.  I did it without mentioning it to others much also.  I also did it without weighing myself daily.  I knew I was on plan, and I stuck with it regardless.  I literally put myself in my plans "hands" so to speak.  I just did the do, and let the rest  of the world or problems go.  

I think some of us tend to think too much into the plan and it side tracks us also.  I know I have become obsessed with my weight in a bad way.  Now when I diet I literally put myself full force into it and just like others have said, when I hit a rough spot I bail.  What we tend to forget, and what I've been thinking a lot about is what happened to keeping it SIMPLE?  Look at how you are doing it, or Johnita.  You guys are keeping it simple, but in different ways.  You with your whole foods, her with her measuring.  But you guys are not getting overwhelmed by it, which I think a lot of us tend to do.

Simple.  Simple.  Simple.  Simple.  Simple.  Simple.

lol ignore me..think i did that for my own mentality.

I think with me in the past was I was always dieting for someone else's benefit.  Either my mom was concerened, someone called me a stupid name, or my boyfriend wanted me to look a certain way.  Deep down I wanted to be that thin person I used to be. But I didn't want to work at it. I had no motivation.  I was like I said doing it for someone else. Now I'm still doing it for my mom, I don't care what people say about me and that boyfriend is long gone. Also I want to be healthy, I want to be skinny I want to be able to have babies someday and run around the house with them as they grow up. I want to be a healthy person, so I'm more committed to it. Although I don't consider myself dieting now, I do consider myself living a healthier lifestyle. And I know I'm an emotional eater which I never would have admitted before. Like right now I'm not doing so well with my eating because there's a huge amount of stress in my life right now with my dad drinking again *he's an alcoholic*, and all the tension in the house that's causing. But I always tell myself that tomorrow's another day and in the next minute there will be another moment where I can change.  As long as I push myself and remember why I want to lose this weight then I believe I can. Some days it's harder than others and I don't even want to get out of bed and face the world. But then I realize that this is my world too and I deserve to live in it too!  I don't know if this really answers your question but it's helped me! :) lol. Thanks for posting it. I needed that!

I have been a compulsive overeater and binger since I was very young.  I came from a family that did not nurture me emotionally, and either ignored me or punished me for being different.  They also descended on me when I was 13 as being "fat", which I wasn't.  I've been on around 30 diets my entire adult life, and have gained it all back and more, or not made it to goal weight.  I'd been going to Overeaters Anonymous since around 1985, dropped out after 2 years, gained back all the 70 pounds I lost and more, and have been struggling until recently.

I rejoined OA in 2006, and still struggled to be abstinent (which is refraining from compulsive overeating), but was "white knuckling" (trying to do it by myself instead of surrendering to my Higher Power through the 12 Steps), and would sometimes lose, sometimes gain weight, always being obsessed about food the whole time.  I sabotaged myself frequently, until just recently.  I went to a group called Back to Basics, which is working the 12 Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous as adapted for Overeaters Anonymous, and for the first time, I got real results.  My Higher Power removed my food and overeating obsession, and all the feelings I'd been holding down came up, and the greatest one was fear.  It was so overwhelming (this was after doing the 5th Step), that I begged my H.P. to please remove all my fear, anxiety, and worries, and He did!  I felt a calmness, peace, and serenity I'd never felt before, and I've been doing my H.P.'s Will ever since, and have had no problems at all sticking to my food plan.

Diets have never worked for me, since my problem was a spiritual one, all along. 

Denise Phares/Highpow (formerly, kitties4)

Welcome back Kitty, was wondering what happened to you.

I think diets fail because people do not deal with the underlying issues.  Why r u overeating, bingeing, or grazing?  We try to change the FOOD without changing our attitudes and habits concerning food.  I also agree with you girls that we go from one extreme to another. 

We have to be willing to change the way we approach eating food and show more respect to our bodies.

I was abusing food, using it as a drug to make me feel better.  I was trying to medicate my pain with food.  That never works.  For a minute it pacifies, then the guilt comes and more eating.  It was a vicious cycle for me but Praise God it is over.

I also agree that so often we give up when we mess up.  Never give up!  Fight like you are fighting for your life because you really are!  Right?


Happy Losing!

Alisha

I really like all the answers.  This is a great thread.  I am a surgical member but used this board pre op.  I am now maintanance and quite a ways out...almost five years.  I am a good statistic as I have no regain.  I work my butt off to fall in this statistic.  I really have had to look at it as a lifestyle change.  Clique as it may sound....this is how I eat now this is how I will always eat...you know where this is going....I have good days and bad days...I think the biggest reason we fall off is we strangely enough....success,  we reward and get complacent.  I may be wrong.  Wishing everyone blessings and success.

Well, most folks have already posted great answers, so I'll just add that maybe diets fail due to the deprived feeling people get while on the diets...To avoid that, Iam having what I want (sensibly), but in moderation...Its working so far, and I know there will come a time when I'll have to adjust as I get closer to goal. 

In doing moderation, I have found that I've lost my tastes for certain old favorites....cool eh?

I read somewhere ...."Obesity is a chronic disease that CAN be managed"