Prevent Eating Disorders By Stopping the Diet Cycle

Dieting can lead to the kind of unhealthy eating patterns that can develop into an eating disorder. One of the best ways to cultivate a healthy attitude towards food, dieting and to promote positive body images in your own life is to vow not to diet. Stop the diet cycle and commit to a life marked by healthy eating patterns, acceptance of your body, and fitness does in service of pure fun. Here are five ideas that can help you reconsider before going on your next diet. These ideas may also help you prevent the onset of an eating disorder by stopping the dieting cycle.

1. Remember that dieting can lead to a lower body metabolism. When you severely restrict the number of calories you consume, your body may react by going into starvation mode. This means that your body thinks it is being starved, so it will hold on to the few calories it is getting. What does this mean for you? You will probably feel less energized and fatigued, and your body will probably resist dropping the pounds.

2. Dieting can lead to less brainpower. Yes, believe it or not, dieting can affect the way your brain processes information. Severe or excessive dieting can impact your mind in important ways. For instance, when you restrict the amount of calories you consume, you will probably find that your body becomes fatigued more easily. Your brain operates in much the same manner. Studies have shown that individuals who are on severely restricted diets have slower reaction times, have a harder time to focus, and have trouble concentrating. Your brain, like the rest of your body, needs the right amount and types of nutrients in order to keep it running smoothly. When you diet, you are often restricting your body from getting these nutrients.

3. Dieting can often lead to feelings of stress, anxiety and depression. There's no doubt about it: excessive dieting and preoccupation with one's weight inevitably leads to an intense dissatisfaction of one's body that can trigger feelings of depression and anxiety. Feelings of depression and anxiety are also the result of your body not receiving adequate nutrition.

4. Dieting can lead to greater problems with body image and lower self-esteem. As previously mentioned, dieting can lead to strong feelings of dissatisfaction with one's body. This in turn can lead to a vicious cycle of yo-yo dieting that is unhealthy and that only serves to perpetuate negative body image issues. If you feel dissatisfied with your body, vow to avoid dieting and instead pursue an activity that you think you will enjoy.

5. Dieting can keep you from enjoying the company of loved ones. The deprivation of most diets often causes dieters to sacrifice important social connections and events. Dieters are often unable to enjoy social events, or may avoid social events altogether for fear of breaking their diet. Before you go on the next big diet, consider what it will cause you in terms of social connections and interpersonal relationships.