I am NOT Against You Wanting to Lose Weight

From a self-proclaimed diet-neutral/anti-diet/let’s-put-dieting-on-the-back-burner dietitian:

I am not against you wanting to lose weight! I don’t think calorie counting is inherently wrong. I don’t believe counting macros or following a certain way of eating is a bad idea in and of itself.

In fact, it’s true that you can come out of participating in any “diet” behavior to lose weight totally fine. You can move on with your life and it will not consume you. You can learn, adapt and change your lifestyle into a normal way of living and even maintain some (maybe most) of your weight loss.

It’s also possible that you will not come out of it that way, and for the vast majority of my clients the latter is true. Dieting leads to more restriction, more guilt, more shame and more anxiety around food. Especially when we are completely wrapped up in this as a personality trait. Dieting starts to be more than just an avenue to weigh loss. It can lead to disordered eating for many, many years and often a full-blown eating disorder.

So, it really depends on the person and on the circumstances. Which is why I don’t like to make conclusive statements like “calorie counting is wrong and I never recommend it” because it’s much more nuanced than that.

What matters when we are talking about diet behavior is your mindset, your emotions and your goals.

When talking about weight loss, I might ask you the following:

  • Why do you want to do this?
  • What’s important about it?
  • What about your life will change if your body size is different?
  • Have you been wrapped up in diet culture for years?
  • Do you have history of an eating disorder?
  • Do you experience feelings of shame, guilt or anxiety around food?

In some cases it can be quite appropriate and neutral to work on weight loss. In some cases it is absolutely not advised. When someone I am working with decides that weight loss is for them, I hold off on a plan until after we have improved their relationship with food and they are a more confident and comfortable eater.

That way, with a better mindset and more grounded understanding about food, weight loss can be approached in a practical and not an emotional way.

Bottom line – it’s how you and you alone think and feel about something that matters. Don’t do things for others or to fit into society’s dumb ideals.

Do you think dieting can be neutral? Would love to hear your thoughts in the comments!

Let's Work Together!

How can I help you get started on the road to a healthier life?