Think Like a Skinny Person

In the midst of all these failed attempts at "dieting" I've put a lot of thought into what it will take for long term results. I have a theory. I think the biggest diet failure is the very word "diet". Literally, the word means what you eat from day to day. So even if you never put a thought into what you eat, you're technically on a "diet". (Likely not a healthy one.) But somewhere along the way someone redefined the word "diet" to mean "a form of punishment for being fat".

When I say I'm on a diet I feel like I'm underlining the fact that I'm overweight. I feel like people then assess whether I need to be on a diet and it's a swift assessment. Verdict: thank God she noticed...

I also feel punished, deprived, and like a child again. I'm an adult! I can eat whatever i want! But the truth is, I cannot. And neither can 90% of the world. (This is not an actual statistic.) The other 10% either work their butt off quite literally (something else that feels like punishment to me.) or have a super high metabolism the rest of us can only dream of.

But the problem is, punishment is only temporary. Deprivation long term is generally seen as abuse. So we're looking at a "diet" as a temporary thing. Something we must adhere to till we're "skinny". And that's why we eventually fall off the band wagon or gain it all back.

The truth is, to be successful in weight loss you must change your life forever. You have to completely change the way you view food overall. Exercise must become a part of who you are. Your goal is no longer a certain dress size, your goal is a new mindset.

You must learn to think like a skinny person.

I have yet to figure out exactly how to do this. I think the first step is to ditch the word "diet". It sets you up for failure. Find the way of eating that's going to fit your lifestyle forever. Change your lifestyle, if that's what it takes, but understand that you're changing forever. It's not temporary.

I've literally asked my skinny friend how she sees food. I asked her multiple questions about how she thinks and what she eats normally. My skinny friend uses myfitnesspal! That should be proof enough that this is no temporary situation.

Find ways to allow yourself a treat now and then. Do you really want to give up cheesecake forever?? No? Then find a way to fit it in now and then. My skinny friend does.

Don't beat yourself up when you fall. You think you're going to eat exactly right and exercise every single day for the rest of your life? Vacations will come and go and you must be prepared to get right back on track when it's over. Guilt is pointless. You can't un-eat the cookie or exercise yesterday. Always look forward. Each day is a new day. Each bite is a new bite. Every decision is a new decision. It's never too late or too early to start making smart choices.

What ways do you suggest to "think like a skinny person"?