We all know what they are, we have all done them, and it is unlikely that on the first try, we have succeed at them. What's wrong with the word diet is it literally means: what you eat. Sure, there is a second definition of the word meaning a special course of food to which one restricts oneself, either to lose weight or for medical reasons. But, this is the second definition, not the first. My point is: dieting is not a thing.
The first step to achieving and being on a successful diet is to stop dieting. For some reason, this word is evil and it tends to make people crazy. You think that because you say you're on a diet, that means you are in this new magical world where brownies, pizza, and perfect greasiness no longer look appealing. In the real world, where such magical lands do not exist, you find yourself more times than not craving these forbidden things. The cravings for this deliciousness, the cravings for this satisfaction, the craving for something that isn't green and leafy, triumph over your silly little diet 7/10 times. 70% deprivation and 30% lettuce leaf is no way to live or diet.
As you see, the word diet has the word die in it. If this isn't enough reason to stop dieting, than I don't know what is. I think we like saying that we are on a diet because it makes us feel powerful. It makes us feel in control of what we're consuming, and it ultimately makes us want to obtain the weight loss goal of the diet. While that is all fine and dandy, it is very possible we lose ourselves along the way. Who wants to constantly be consumed over the thoughts of food? I wouldn't mind if I was always thinking about the delicious things I was going to be ingesting, but for diets, it's mostly the things you can't ingest that you're thinking about.
Yes, there are diets that aren't as strict, diets that allow for cheat meals or days, but what happens when you haven't had a greasy, cheesy, hot batch of cheese fries, then you suddenly do, and your whole world makes so much sense, and you can't stop? This goes along with the saying, "one is one too many, one more is never enough.". Try eating one potato chip or 1 scoop of ice cream, and you'll see what I mean. This is why diets don't work.
In order to successfully be on a "diet", there has to be another word for it. The connotation of the word is too harsh, too unforgiving, and too boring. If we want to lose weight and be healthier, than we shall call this thing being healthier as opposed to dieting. Don't put yourself through the emotional turmoil that dieting causes, just be healthier. No, this doesn't mean always be healthier. Being healthier and changing your lifestyle to eat healthier is a process. It is unrealistic and impossible to stop eating sour patch and half baked cold turkey. If you can do that successfully without stuffing your face with the gooey goodness in a week or so, I applaud you. Like they say, good things take time. Take the time to not diet, and simply start being healthier. It's that easy.
