NOT ANOTHER DIET MONDAY

Just because it's Monday, doesn't mean it's time to start a new diet! How many times have you decided that you will start a new diet or some new cleanse on a Monday? Then, you overindulge all week long in preparation for the restrictions to come! After all, who knows when you will be "allowed" to have that decadent piece of chocolate cake again? Then, Monday comes along and you feel motivated and begin the day with your new plan. You're following the rules to a "T" and feeling like this time will be different! You envision your new body and the new clothes you will wear. But, by midweek, you're feeling hungry and deprived and losing faith in your ability to ever stick to a diet. You might even berate yourself for giving into your cravings, for not being able to follow through with anything, and may feel discouraged about ever losing weight again.

Dieters tend to follow very rigid, all-or-none, black and white thinking patterns when it comes to eating and weight. Once the "rules" are “broken,” chronic dieters tell themselves that they "blew it," they failed another diet, and they might as well just eat whatever they want until they feel ready to start over. They may even decide to try again the next Monday!!  How many times have YOU repeated this kind of cycle?

Maybe it's simply time to say "NO" to another diet Monday! Perhaps, if you are ready for a truly radical step, you can work up the courage to say "NO" to diets forever. Diets just don't work for the long run. Even with the best of intentions, restrictive diets set you up for failure. In order to truly lose weight and maintain a weight loss for good, you must change your eating habits, find fun ways to move your body, and adopt a new perspective.

Think of what would happen if you let go of "good" vs "bad" foods, "diet days" vs "eating days," "healthy" vs "unhealthy," etc and allowed yourself to continue on your journey towards wellness with focus and MODERATION. Mindful eating encourages you to meet your own hunger and nourish your body in a healthy and connected way.  The awareness that comes from mindful eating and mindful living can be truly liberating.  Happy Monday!!

For more guidance on how to “Say No to Dieting”  and an introduction to mindful eating, please join us for a complimentary workshop this Wednesday, August 1^st at 10am.  This workshop will also be held on Wednesday, September 12^th, from 12p-2pm.  Please RSVP by emailing kerri@beating-overeating.com or calling (732)845-1111.

Also check out www.beating-overeating.com and www.facebook.com/beatingovereating for more information, mindful eating tips, and inspiration.