The Truth About Dieting and How to Break Free
Have You Ever Dieted? You’re Not Alone.
Have you ever been on a diet? Odds are, you have. The diet, wellness, and fitness industry is a multi-billion-dollar business, fueled by the fear of gaining weight and the pressure to achieve a certain body size. But despite the promises, diets do not work.
Diets Are Not Effective.
Sure, you start a diet, lose weight, and feel great. But then life happens. You stop following the rigid rules, gain the weight back, and feel like you’ve failed. So, you try again. And again. Each time, the cycle repeats.
Diets Teach You to Label Food as “Good” or “Bad.”
Dieting forces you to categorize food into right vs. wrong and healthy vs. unhealthy. When you eat “good” foods, you feel successful. When you eat “bad” foods, guilt and shame creep in. Eventually, you start believing that your self-worth is tied to what you eat.
When You Feel Bad About Your Food Choices, You Feel Bad About Yourself.
Many of my clients tell me they feel like “failures” because they can’t stick to a diet or keep the weight off. But the truth is, no one can maintain a diet long-term. Dieting fuels self-doubt, anxiety, and disordered eating behaviors.
Diets Suck. Period.
Restricting food is not fun—and it doesn’t lead to long-term success. Research has shown that dieting actually increases the likelihood of weight gain over time. Plus, it can damage your metabolism, trigger binge eating, and destroy your confidence in your ability to care for yourself.
So, What’s the Solution?
Intuitive Eating Can Help You Regain Control Over Food.
Intuitive eating is not a diet. It’s a way of reconnecting with your body and trusting yourself again. Instead of relying on food rules, calorie counting, or meal plans, intuitive eating teaches you how to:
✔️ Recognize true hunger and fullness
✔️ Let go of food guilt
✔️ Stop emotional eating without restriction
✔️ Find balance in your relationship with food
The First Step to Intuitive Eating? Self-Care.
The foundation of intuitive eating is self-care. When you take care of your overall well-being, you naturally make choices that align with your body’s needs.
Self-Care Steps to Begin Intuitive Eating:
🧘 Physical Self-Care: Move your body in a way that feels good, not as punishment.
💖 Emotional Self-Care: Find healthy ways to manage stress—journaling, therapy, or mindfulness.
👨👩👧 Relational Self-Care: Prioritize quality time with loved ones. Set boundaries with toxic relationships.
🛑 Boundary-Setting: Learn to say “no” to things that drain you. Protect your time and energy.
You Deserve to Trust Yourself Again.
Your body is not your enemy. You don’t need to earn your right to eat. You are already enough.
If You’re Struggling, You’re Not Alone.
You can learn to love your body and your life. You can overcome disordered eating and find confidence in your choices. But healing takes time, support, and self-compassion.
If you feel stuck in the cycle of dieting and food guilt, I encourage you to reach out. There is help available.
Still unsure if you have an eating disorder? Take this self-assessment: NEDA Screening Tool.
Need support?
Contact Dr. Stephanie Waitt to begin your journey toward food freedom.