Why diets never work for women! Time to reframe your mindset around losing weight

Why diets never work for women!!

Yes, I said it - diets do not work and I will say it again - diets do not work! Not even for men technically, yet let’s just focus on us girlies for once. So why specifically does the recurring diet cycle not work for us?

Well it all relates back to our hormones yet again. Believe it or not women actually need differing amounts of caloric intake at different times of their cycle. For example, during our luteal and menstrual phase we need about 250 more calories per day. This may be why you get more food cravings during these times or just feel extra hungry during your period - your body is trying to tell you something. It is about time that we listen!

Therefore, when we consistently restrict our caloric intake with certain diets it is not nourishing to our natural caloric and nutrient needs fluctuations throughout the month. Then we become hanger, stressed, nutrient depleted, and no ones happy - plus even if you do lose a little weight on the diet - you are likely to gain it all back and more once you go off the diet and your body transitions back to its normal programming. So really, what was even the point?

However, when we work with our cycle and nourish our body with the appropriate foods at the right times in the month - our hormones are happier, our body is happier, and the weight (if any in excess) will slowly begin to fall off without even stressing about it.

Do this instead - make small and I mean tiny health changes. So add more water throughout the day, take a multivitamin, go for a ten minute walk, eat fruit instead of a cookie after dinner. These teeny tiny changes are what make all the difference. The goal is to have these changes become habits and then your foundational healthy habits that give you the momentum to continue to make healthy decisions without even thinking about it. Your default becomes nourishing to your body.

I know your saying” but Samantha I need to lose 10 pounds before summer.” While a diet may help with this in the short term - your life is long and the habits that you patiently develop by making small changes is what lasts a lifetime. So forgo looking toned and skinny this summer to make those small changes and be happy in your body for the next summer and all the summers to come in the future. Delayed gratification baby - that’s the name of the game. And you’re about to freaking win it!