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The Reason Why Dieting Takes So Much Effort

As most people who struggle with a weight problem can attest, dieting can be hard work. The reason why dieting is such hard work however is what trips up the most dedicated efforts to lose weight. The number one reason why dieting requires so much energy is because of the internal conflict that accompanies most weight loss attempts.

When we fail to address the mental component of our weight struggles before starting a diet, we're in fact skipping the most important part. Being chronically overweight is a result of our identity. In other words, our weight problems are a part of us because they are a natural result of who we are on the inside. If we are a fat person on the inside, then we have no choice but to become a fat person on the outside.

Conversely, fit people are fit because they are fit on the inside. When we are fit on the inside (our minds), we will then naturally do the things that result in creating a fit body. Our outward appearance is merely a manifestation of who we are on the inside. One of the most frustrating mistakes that dieters make is to try and become fit on the outside while they are still fat on the inside. This internal contradiction is almost impossible to overcome and leads to failure.

When we become a fit person in our minds first, then it changes the entire dynamics of losing weight. Instead of being a fat person trying to turn themselves in to a fit person, we are now a fit person who just does what comes naturally which is to eat right and exercise.

Many times trying to lose weight feels like pushing a boulder up a hill. It takes constant energy, focus, and effort to get the boulder to move and the second that energy or focus wavers, the boulder starts rolling back down the hill. This is what usually happens during diet attempts. As long as we are trying as hard as we possibly can, the boulder creeps up the hill but as soon as we have one slip up, a small distraction, or a tiny dip in will power, the boulder starts rolling back and we find ourselves failing again.

Pushing a boulder up a hill is exhausting as is trying to lose weight when we haven't first addressed the internal issues that have created our fat problem. When we address the mental aspects of being overweight though, it turns the diet process into a downhill event which requires very little energy to sustain.

When we address the internal reasons why we have allowed ourselves to remain trapped in a fat body then the diet process becomes easy. It becomes almost effortless. No overwhelming amounts of will power are necessary, no constant focus is required, slight slip-ups have virtually no effect and success is much more likely.

When all is said and done, the key (and the only way) to permanent weight loss is to address the internal reasons why the weight problem exists in the first place. The root cause of struggling with weight is emotional and this emotional resistance to losing weight will sabotage our efforts every time.

Instead of putting all of your effort in pushing the diet boulder up the hill, place that effort where it will pay off the most. Looking inside may be hard work but the payoff is priceless.

About the Author

Dr. Steven Prentice is a health coach and creator of "The Quest", a life-changing 4-CD audio program designed to walk people through the process of eliminating the internal barriers to why they can't seem to lose weight. Log on to http://www.thequestprogram.com to experience your breakthrough.

Author Profile: DrStevenP

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