| For many people losing weight becomes an all or | | | | The second part of this on and off syndrome is that |
| nothing event. You are either on the "diet" eating | | | | restricting certain foods all together can cause some |
| perfectly each day or you are "off" the diet because | | | | people to focus on them even more. Research |
| you ate something that wasn't on the plan. Does this | | | | shows that when you omit certain foods from your |
| sound familiar to you? It is very common and is | | | | diet completely it often ends up in a binge because |
| somewhat a side effect from years of dieting. It also | | | | there is a thrill of eating a food that is bad or not on |
| has to do with certain personality types that tend to | | | | the list. Especially if you have a pattern in your life of |
| fall into the perfectionist category. | | | | that thrill of doing something you're not supposed to. |
| Eating a good and healthy diet is definitely part of | | | | Think back when you were younger. Were you the |
| achieving successful results but it is impossible to be | | | | type who got a thrill out of taking a cookie when |
| perfect all the time. This is true for everyone- | | | | you weren't supposed to? Going to a hangout spot |
| dietitians, personal trainers, movie stars, and models. | | | | when you were supposed to be at a friend's house? |
| Trying to be perfect every day will set you up for | | | | If you can relate to this then you may also get a |
| an unrealistic expectation and can actually sabotage all | | | | thrill out of eating so called forbidden foods. |
| your weight management efforts. | | | | There are many times that I actually tell my clients |
| Let's look at an example. Jane is eating her meal plan | | | | it's time to have a treat when they are becoming |
| perfectly every day and then on Monday morning | | | | too tied to the good-food, bad-food scenario. This |
| something unexpected happens. She won employee | | | | doesn't mean buy a box of cookies and eat them all |
| of the month and her boss throws a party for her at | | | | week or to have treats everyday. It means going to |
| work. Wow! What a surprise. They bring all kinds of | | | | the bakery and buying yourself a small treat once in |
| goodies with chips and even a cake. Jane thinks, | | | | awhile, enjoy it with no guilt because you made a |
| well...this isn't on the plan for the day so I guess I'll go | | | | conscious decision to have it. |
| "off" the diet. The next day comes around which is | | | | So what would happen if all foods are made legal and |
| hectic because she didn't get much work done the | | | | actually part of a healthy diet? This allows that work |
| day before so she thinks, well I already went off the | | | | party to happen without guilt. Instead Jane can |
| diet...I'll get back on track next week when I can | | | | balance her day by saying, "well I ate some |
| focus more. Now that Jane has fallen off the diet it | | | | not-so-good-for-me foods at lunch so I will have a |
| takes 2-3 weeks for her to get back on track. All of | | | | light soup and salad for dinner and schedule some |
| the new healthy habits are completely abandoned at | | | | extra exercise tomorrow." Also, now that all foods |
| this point. This is where weight gain will occur. Not in | | | | are legal the thrill of eating that cookie isn't so strong. |
| the one day at work but in the mindset that she has | | | | Just like when you were younger and your mom |
| gone off the diet. | | | | gave you permission to have a cookie. It is exciting |
| This also happens when people are traveling for | | | | to get a treat but the thrill of doing something you're |
| work. They feel like they will go "off" the plan during | | | | not supposed to do is gone. Balance is the key to |
| that time and then focus when they get back home. | | | | long term success. |
| Do you see the trend? It is important that your new | | | | One cookie once in while will not make you gain |
| healthy changes become part of your lifestyle when | | | | weight but having an entire box of cookies or giving |
| you are at a party, traveling, sick, busy, or any other | | | | up all your healthy habits for 1-2 weeks will. So, when |
| time to achieve lasting results. The diet mentality is | | | | you feel like you are focusing on the forbidden foods |
| an all or nothing approach but making a lifestyle | | | | or you are faced with a party, have a cookie (or |
| change isn't all or nothing. It is something that | | | | treat) and enjoy it. Having some treats in moderation |
| becomes part of your habits and your life with all the | | | | will help you achieve life long results more than an all |
| circumstances that come up. | | | | or nothing approach will. |