It can be difficult to let go of the fantasy that you can somehow permanently transform your body through weight loss. Knowing that dieting doesn't work, and understanding how it has eroded your self confidence, trust in your body, blunted your metabolism, and lead to weight gain, are the first steps in beginning to let go of this fantasy. 

The next step will be to begin to let go of some of the tools of dieting that you've used to measure your progress, or keep you "on track" over the years. External tools of dieting are things that have allowed you to count, weigh and measure. Even collecting dieting books, clippings from magazines and weight loss recipes, may be forms of dieting tools. In the past, these tools may have given you a sense of power or control over your eating, that you felt you needed. You may have used these tools to inform decisions about what, when and how much to eat or exercise. These tools have had a profound impact on your self-confidence and your ability to tune in and simply listen to and trust your body. 

Even if you don't ever plan to engage in dieting behaviour again, holding on to these tools of dieting will keep your stuck in the 'diet mentality'. 

The Tools of Dieting 

In this exercise you will begin to identify which tools of dieting you have been using over the years to help stay you on track and what small steps you can take to begin letting these tools of dieting go. 
Download a PDF version of the self reflection exercises here.

Clever thoughts: Less obvious forms of dieting 

If you have tried a few different diets in the past, that self critical inner voice that has helped you "stay on track" may feel so familiar that you barely notice it any more. Former dieters have the uncanny ability to turn Intuitive Eating into yet another form of dieting, with shoulds and should nots, that resemble rules. If you notice this happening, it's important to recognize (without judgement) that these thoughts and habits are part of the "diet mentality".  Left unchecked, these thoughts can become cleverly twisted into yet another form of dieting that promotes restrictive eating behaviour that will leave you feeling stressed and guilt ridden. 

Keep in mind, Intuitive Eating is flexible, not rigid. There are no rules. 
Download a PDF version of the self reflection exercises here.