LYDIA PATTISON COACHING
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Truth is, all diets work ....

3/18/2019

 
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The truth is all diets would work - if we could only stick to them.

So, given this, the problem is always our mindset, not the diet.

So why do we keep trying different diets when that's not the answer?

There's been times when we have had no problem sticking to an eating plan and changing habits but then suddenly we. can't. even.

So, we blame the diet and move on to try to find a better one. But after a million diets that didn't work, it might be useful to look at specifically what happened not with the diet but with our thinking.

One day the diet was working and the next day we couldn't stick to it. We didn't change. The food didn't change.

What changed was that on the day we quit we had a different thought. And not something obvious like "oh hey let's give up on healthy eating for the foreseeable future"- something more subtle and sneaky. Something harmless sounding like 'I deserve a treat, I've been so good'. Sounds reasonable. And then once we've bought that thought it becomes easier to buy another thought..

One of the most sneaky ones is "I just love food". I've had this one and also coached other people. It's culturally accepted as it makes overeating sophisticated and about 'passion'  -  suddenly it's fiiine to overeat. It's your passion, right? No one should get in the way of your passion!

But it's easy to call BS on this one. WhenI lived in France where they food passionates, I've never seen people be more sparing and moderate. Portion sizes are literally out of the '50s with a serving being a serving spoon size. And if you are indulging with a special meal there's no more quantity, just a slight upgrade in the quality and the amount of time to prepare the dish.

The point is not to feel bad about the amount of food we are eating - no one actually wants to eat a lot of food. When we become aware we can see it's actually just unpleasant. The point is to show how we have been conditioned to think around food that is allowing us to overeat consistently. Once we change the thinking we will change the feelings and actions that follow, and ultimately, our results.

This week take time to notice some of your sneaky food beliefs that are making overeating so appealing to you and keeping you from having the relationship to food you really want. For me, one of the most powerful beliefs I have created is "I'm just not that interested in food." Trust me, that's a long way from where I was a few years ago. But it's a thought that's now let me lose 30kg and keep it off while sticking to a healthy eating plan. It can work for you if you deal with the thinking rather than the diets.

Remember, if you want some accountability and help to apply these strategies and put the overeating struggle behind you I offer a free 45 min consult - zero obligation!

Have a great week,

Lydia ​

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This work is for people who are healthy who would like to help to manage unhelpful behaviours that are keeping them stuck. This is not the place for you if you feel you have an have an eating disorder or mental health issues that disrupt your life. 
​By reading my coaching website and blog, and any associated email series, you acknowledge that I am not a licensed psychologist or health care professional and my services do not replace the care of psychologists or other healthcare professionals. 
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