How many times have you started another failed diet attempt, only to beat yourself up for a rise on the scale or a weekend cheat meal? How often has diet-related stress triggered an emotional reaction that led to binge eating, extreme guilt or straight up fatigue?

Diets Typically Don’t Work.

There’s a reason that most diets fail within seven days and the war against the scale rages onward. The majority of “diets” are based on sacrifice and restriction. No, carbs are not the devil. Fruits are not dangers in disguise. Healthy fats are essential to your body.

Labeling foods as “bad vs good” or tossing them to the “DO NOT EAT!” list not only makes you miserable, but runs the risk of cutting off important nutrients. You’re hungrier. You’re tired. You can’t get the picture of that greasy piece of pizza out of your mind — how distracting!

Allow Room for Forgiveness

Maybe it’s because as a society, weight is often tied to identity and worth — but why do we kill ourselves to lose large amounts of weight quickly, miserably and dangerously?

Using forgiveness as a weight management tool slashes the ideology that our weight is reason enough to be punished. It takes the temptation out of self-sabotage, allows room for flexibility and shines a spotlight on the picture of total health — not just what the scale says.

• Make Room for All Foods. If you splurge, make up the difference elsewhere.
• Health is a Total Picture. Treat your body well, but also your mental health and happiness.
• Move on from Setbacks. If you messed up, vow to try again and forgive the struggle.
• Embrace Humanity. You’re not a robot and can’t be programmed to make perfect decisions.
• Confront Your Demons. What’s holding you back? Face it head on with extra help.
• Ditch Black and White. Nothing is “good” or “bad.” Strike a balance with all behaviors.
• Plan for Recovery Time. This goes for exercise as well as stricter eating styles.
• Make it Permanent. Weight-loss comes with lifestyle changes, not temporary diet fads.

Mindset Plays a Big Role.

Experts claim that if your mind isn’t in the game, you’re more likely to struggle with weight long-term. And if your mindset is focused on short-term deprivation and sacrifice just to “make it there,” you probably won’t see the long-term results with weight-loss you’re hoping for.

The key takeaways: Moderation | Balance | Forgiveness | Flexibility | Sustainability!