Why Diets Don't Work

Have you used a wide variety of different diets that just don't seem to help you achieve or maintain the weight you want? Do you wonder why? To help understand why diets don't work and for effective tips in achieving your desire weight, I have interviewed therapist Mary-Michael Levitt.

Tell me a little bit about yourself.

"My career expands twenty-five years as Director of The Riverview Counseling Center. I have a Masters Degree in Human Development and an ED.S. in Marriage and Family Therapy , which opened the door to becoming credentialed as a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and Licensed Professional Counselor . Throughout my career I have presented seminars on a wide range of topics, which led to being asked to write the book 'TIG Raising A Strong Willed Child.' Alongside my counseling work, I am credentialed as a New Jersey Disaster Crisis Counselor and an American Red Cross Disaster Mental Health Responder. These are volunteer positions, I am proud to give back to the community. My husband and I also work together as Outdoor Adventure Guides using rock and ice climbing, advanced hiking, adventure trips to promote building trust in relationships, self-esteem, personal growth and confidence and uncovering your passion in life. We truly live a full passionate life!"

Why don't diets work?

"Diets fail primarily because dieting is a process of giving the control and decision making of our own bodies over to another person. Yes, we need professional nutritional and exercise information to know what to eat and how to manage weight however by paying into the industry dieting becomes success at following orders not learning a lifestyle of self care. When dieting ends, the dieter is left with no real emotional, spiritual psychological and physical skills to maintain weight loss on their own. A vicious cycle of shame begins as the weight slowly creeps back in. Many dieters state, " I feel out of control." They are correct. Think what it would be like to look at food and say I don't need it anymore instead of I can't have it or I should not eat it or I am undisciplined if I eat that. Dieting tries to make change from the outside in, personal lifestyle choices make changes from the inside out. For example, success comes from learning about how to deal with cravings, are they emotional or physical hunger? What about sugar addictions that drive people to 'cheat'? This is one of the worst concepts in dieting. In short dieting concepts are not personally designed to fit individual needs and thus they fail."

What is effective for someone that wants to lose weight?

"Let's look at it this way. You want to go on vacation and need to plan. What is your budget, where will you go, for how long, with who and do what? Yet we wake up one day all fed up and announce I am going on a diet and begin to restrict food and walk with only the expectation or desire that the scale will report if we are successful or not. Our emotions are tied to numbers and the battle begins. Taking care of ourselves is a complicated process of educated decision making and personal responsibility. You would never just get in the car and drive down the street saying I am on vacation without making a full detailed plan that includes What if's. Losing weight takes very careful planning before you start especially for how friends and family will either sabotage or support the dieter. A husband who is nervous about a wife losing weight may say, "You look great, I am so proud of you, let's go to out to eat to celebrate." Children are famous for wanting sweet snacks that are easily available for an afternoon pick me up which feeds an insatiable and ongoing sugar craving . Every month of the year there is either a holiday, birthday, anniversary, milestone celebration, and always involves easy access to great tasting food. If you are the family food shopper is there someone who would take that job while you get reorganized around food? How often will you weigh yourself and most of all how will you say no to someone who needs something from you because now you are scheduled for your physical workout. Success means making a complete physical, emotional, psychological and spiritual plan to live and thrive."

What type of professional help is available for someone that wants to lose weight?

"Professional help can include using any fully trained credentialed and licensed expert that is within your budget. I believe success comes more from the quality of the relationship with those you choose to support you. Some hire a trainer to work out with. Are you motivated to work with this trainer or make excuses why you can't find the time to go? Support is essential in making change in our lives that last for a life time. I believe very strongly in the power of groups as a base from which to manage change. Groups remind us we are not alone, build confidence and connections, keep us honest and pull us through hard times, provide mentoring, generate new ideas and most of all acceptance. Group meetings keep the focus on taking care of the self, not being thin. So be healthy and plan ahead."

Thank you Mary-Michael for doing the interview on why diets don't work. For more information on Mary-Michael Levitt or her work you can check out her website on www.riverviewcc.com .

Recommended Readings:

How to Overcome Poor Body Image

Healthy Weight Loss Tips

Get the Body Your Want by Maintaining Calories