Permission to Stop Dieting

[Anonymous]

Obsessive dieting is so draining. It's so lovely to let it go. My 72 yo mom has been dieting and obsessing about everything she eats since she was a teenager and just restarted Weight Watchers. It's so sad hearing her talk about points and what she "can" and "can't" have.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Are you 20 lbs more than you like or 20 lbs over the top of the bmi weight?

Good question.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Obsessive dieting is so draining. It's so lovely to let it go. My 72 yo mom has been dieting and obsessing about everything she eats since she was a teenager and just restarted Weight Watchers. It's so sad hearing her talk about points and what she "can" and "can't" have.

I gave up trying to lose vanity 5lbs when I was 30. I was sitting with my sister's mil, who was 65 at the time and talking about her diet. I decided right then that I didn't want to spend another day thinking about my weight or diet. I don't want to be 70 counting points or hating my stomach. I have been heavier and lighter since that day, but I haven't dieted or scrutinized myself since that day.

[Anonymous]

Stop eating garbage.

[Anonymous]

If you feel good (you can stand up from the floor easily, go up and down stairs, do the activities you want, etc) and your blood panel looks good, who cares? Do what you want.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Stop eating garbage.

Say it with me: a person’s weight is a complex and multi-faceted issue

[Anonymous]

It's not about giving yourself permission to stop dieting. It's about figuring out what that extra 20lbs means and why it's so important to lose it. Don't say health. Because it's not about being healthy. You can be 20lbs over your ideal weight and still be healthy. (And there are plenty of people who are at their ideal weight and are unhealthy).
You have internalized something about that number on the scale. Once you have figured it out, the need to diet (or give yourself permission to not diet) won't be needed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It's not about giving yourself permission to stop dieting. It's about figuring out what that extra 20lbs means and why it's so important to lose it. Don't say health. Because it's not about being healthy. You can be 20lbs over your ideal weight and still be healthy. (And there are plenty of people who are at their ideal weight and are unhealthy).
You have internalized something about that number on the scale. Once you have figured it out, the need to diet (or give yourself permission to not diet) won't be needed.

Great response.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The concept of "dieting" is outdated. The phrase intself connotes old age: no one says "dieting" anymore. Now we are to think about the lifestyle of eating that we should engage in. Low sugar, low salt, abundance of leafy green vegetablels, healthy oils (non-seed oils, such as olive, avocado, walnut, coconut), small amount oh not-too-surgary fruit (blueberries, raspberries), oily fish (salmon, sardines), beans, small amount of whole grains. Yes, eating heathily and maintaining a healthy weight is important for heart health and for preserving the quality of life in older age (preventing need to take lots of meds, preventing kidney failure, etc). We can't just give up, that is not responsible toward ourselves and our families.

What you’re describing is a diet. A very restrictive one.

[Anonymous]

You should definitely at least try it. I made the same decision about a year ago. I started to just let myself eat whatever I want and I don’t track it. Initially I craved a lot of things but after a month or two my appetite normalized. This is the first year my weight has remained stable and not increased in a long time! I have not lost any weight but I have picked up a lot of healthier habits and I also exercise much more now that I am doing it for fun and not for weight loss. So overall, I feel healthier and more active. Mentally I love just trusting myself and not having guilt cycles over eating. It frees up lots of brain energy.

[Anonymous]

OP - I have never dieted, as in I have never restricted calories, weighed my food, tracked macros or anything else. I came from a very unhealthily weight-obsessed family and decided I would not be one.

I have been a size six my entire adult life, outside of the pregnant/postpartum period. I am active, I eat a lot of vegetables and fruits and drink water etc, but I also drink wine and eat dessert etc. I have never cut out a food group. For me, the trite but true fact is that everything is okay in moderation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It's not about giving yourself permission to stop dieting. It's about figuring out what that extra 20lbs means and why it's so important to lose it. Don't say health. Because it's not about being healthy. You can be 20lbs over your ideal weight and still be healthy. (And there are plenty of people who are at their ideal weight and are unhealthy).
You have internalized something about that number on the scale. Once you have figured it out, the need to diet (or give yourself permission to not diet) won't be needed.

Very true. Weight goals are usually arbitrary and bmi ranges are flawed. Personally it makes sense to me evolutionarily speaking that our bodies should be capable of retaining SOME extra weight before it becomes unhealthy. I think that amount probably varies on an individual basis though.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Just wondering if anyone has ever given themselves permission to stop dieting. I'm 56 and have been dieting my whole life. I'm about 20 lbs overweight and I am just over it all.

Yes. This is who I am, and what my body is. I already eat very healthy, no amount of dieting has changed my 15 lbs gained through menopause and a thyroid issue. I know what I can wear,and what I can't.

Enjoy your life.

[Anonymous]

Yes, I’m done with dieting. I cannot lose weight. I have health problems unrelated to weight but I think affects weight. I still eat well and exercise 6 days a week. I have just given up on losing the 10 pounds I wanted.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Just wondering if anyone has ever given themselves permission to stop dieting. I'm 56 and have been dieting my whole life. I'm about 20 lbs overweight and I am just over it all.

Yes. This is who I am, and what my body is. I already eat very healthy, no amount of dieting has changed my 15 lbs gained through menopause and a thyroid issue. I know what I can wear,and what I can't.

Enjoy your life.

This is me too. Like OP I'm 56 and I'm working on accepting the 15 lbs. I've gained in menopause. It's not budging and I just can't live life on minimal calories a day or worrying about cardio vs. weight training, etc.

I want to enjoy my life.