Overcoming chronic dieting requires a shift in mindset and adopting a healthier approach to food and body image.
Here are some key steps towards breaking free from the cycle of chronic dieting:
Reject Diet Culture: Recognise that strict food type exclusion diets and restrictive eating patterns are not sustainable or beneficial in the long term.
Challenge societal pressures, fat diets and fat loss gimmicks and embrace the concept of a more balanced approach.
Seek Professional Support: Consider working with a registered dietitian or therapist who specialises in disordered eating.
They can provide guidance, support and personalised strategies to help you develop a healthier relationship with food and your body.
Focus on Nourishment: Shift your focus from constant calorie counting and weight loss to bouts of nourishing your body with balanced meals and wholesome foods. Prioritise nutrient rich meals and food variety rather than strict rules or restrictions.
Practice Self-Compassion: Cultivate self-compassion and challenge negative self-talk.
Celebrate your body for its strengths, functionality and uniqueness.
Treat yourself with kindness and respect, focusing on overall well-being rather than a hyperfocus on external appearance.
Engage in Joyful Movement: Shift your perspective on exercise from a means of burning calories to a way to enjoy and care for your body.
Engage in activities you genuinely enjoy, whether it's the gym, dancing, hiking, yoga, or team sports.
Be gentle with yourself and celebrate each small step towards a healthier and more balanced approach to food, your body and self-care.
