Stop Trying to Diet Year-Round

When was the last time you weren’t trying to diet?

…Got you thinking, didn’t we?

The thing is, so many of us spend the majority of the year weighing, tracking, and measuring our food, our weight, our bodies, and so many other aspects of our lives in an effort to optimize our health. 

Regardless of what our goals are (building muscle, losing fat, maintaining current weight), we are working hard at tracking data and implementing better habits.

But what about watching your hard work pay off?

Whether you choose the holidays, summer vacation, or some other time of year, you should dedicate time to enjoying yourself and taking a diet break.

Maybe this can be the first Thanksgiving or Christmas in years that you aren’t trying to diet. It sounds scary at first, but you can trust yourself to enjoy the holidays without losing control. 

Take Time Off of Dieting

You can trust yourself (and your body) and let go of trying to constantly be in control. You are allowed to take a break (and, in fact, it might actually help your progress!).

You likely spent much of the year attempting different diets, restricting foods at different times, etc. And maybe you’ve always chosen to try to stay on track during holidays or on vacation because you thrive on that sense of control. 

If you do, you aren’t alone. Many of the KJO Coaches are the same way!

But, in the spirit of getting uncomfortable and wanting to grow, you may want to choose to trust yourself and let your habits do the work.

If you’ve been working on upgrading your lifestyle and instilling some healthy habits, that means you've worked hard on new automatic behaviors that allow you to be mindful and still enjoy food. So why not use this time to lean on those new habits and behaviors?!

(And if you’re reading this like, “new habits and behaviors? I wish!” then you might benefit from spending some time with one of the coaches at KJO—we specialize in that stuff!)

**NOTE: Choosing to track food/stay on top of your nutrition during the holidays (or any other time of year) is 100% OKAY and YOUR choice. Just like how choosing to NOT track is also 100% OKAY and YOUR choice.

Improve Your Mindset Around Food

Just because you’re not dieting doesn’t mean you have to give up all control. We encourage you to reflect on your previous experiences and how you want to feel during this time. 

Here are some things you may want to reflect on so that you can feel successful and lean into trusting yourself:

First, Determine if You Have Food Triggers

Are there particular foods that trigger certain feelings or emotions?

It doesn’t matter if it’s birthday cake, turkey, or pizza. Figuring out which foods trigger emotions is the first step.

Next, you can ask yourself how you can plan and prepare for these obstacles so that you’re ready when they show up.

Then, Stay Mindful of What You’re Eating

Ask yourself, “Can I take my time eating and only eat at the table or with a plate?”

If you’re at a dinner party, don’t hang around the kitchen where all the food is being prepared. And if you’re out for dinner with friends, slow down your eating to make sure you appreciate all the delicious flavors and textures. 

Just because you’re choosing to not diet during this time doesn’t mean you have to start eating anything and everything in sight. By being mindful of your eating habits, you’ll also be more in tune with your body’s hunger cues. This can be a huge learning opportunity!

And, Of Course, Enjoy Your Surroundings

Who are you with? What’s the occasion?

Pay attention to those things! 

Yes, be mindful of what you’re eating, but don’t forget to pay attention to what’s happening in your life. Don’t allow thinking about food to consume you so much that you miss out on social events. 

Consider what it would look like if you spent more time focusing on the time with family and friends, laughing, and making memories instead of what you’re putting in your mouth.

Remember to Set Realistic Expectations for Yourself

What are your non-negotiables for holidays, vacations, or parties? 

Going into this period of time with solid intentions can set the stage for the entire experience. 

Asking yourself about your non-negotiables and what you’re okay doing trains your brain to continue making healthy choices and stick with the habits you’ve worked so hard to develop.

Don’t Forget to MOVE!

How can you move your body in a way that feels good and makes you feel successful?

Just because you’re not focused on dieting doesn’t mean you need to stop moving. 

If you’ve been going to the gym four times a week, keep that up during the holidays!

If you’ve been hitting 10,000 steps a day, keep walking while you’re on vacation!

If you’re moving your body in ways you genuinely enjoy, it won’t feel like a chore to keep moving during this time.  

Plus, if you’re eating a little more because you’re in maintenance during your diet break, you’ll have more energy to lift heavier weights, run farther, or hit new PRs in whatever way you choose to move!

Get The Support You Need

If you struggle with letting go of control, please know that you aren’t alone. 

At KJO Coaching, we work with ambitious women every day (and we fall into that category, too!). We understand you, and we understand where you may struggle. 

We would love to help you learn healthy habits and start trusting your body. If you’re interested in working with one of our stellar coaches, click here to learn more!

And if you want to learn how to reverse diet out of your diet (the better option, as opposed to just “stopping” the diet altogether), click here to check out our FREE training on reverse dieting! 

Check out the original post here,

Connect with us!

Email: [email protected]

IG: @kjocoaching