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Home » Food For Thought » Weight Loss » Why Willpower + Self Discipline Will Not Help You Lose Weight

Mar 19, 2018(updated September 8, 2019)

Why Willpower + Self Discipline Will Not Help You Lose Weight

By Dani Spies

This post may contain affiliate links.

Contrary to popular belief, more willpower and more self restraint are not the answer to weight loss. 

As matter of fact, I would argue that they actually contribute to the endless diet-binge cycle that so many of us have struggled with at one point or another in our lives.

Here’s the thing.

When we attach ourselves to a specific way of eating, or to a specific diet, and then hold judgment around that way of eating, we inevitably set ourselves up for failure.

For example, if you believe eating low carb is good,  then you also believe that when you eat low carb you’re being good.

And when you don’t eat low carb, that’s not good (aka it’s bad), which means you’re bad and that judgement usually comes partnered with shame, guilt, and a good internal beat up session that can look something like this:

Whats wrong with me? Why did I do that?  What’s the point?   I’m never going to lose this weight…. etc! 

And it’s in this exact space that overeating is very likely to happen (oh! the irony).

In many ways, we turn to food to comfort ourselves from the self created negative emotions that are a result of the way we are thinking about ourselves and our food.

The more stringent the rules, the more attachment we have to our diet, the more likely we are to fall off the wagon. Because let’s be honest, nothing is ever perfect in life (including you and your diet).

But after we crash and burn, the first thing a dieter thinks is that this is simply a willpower issue.

We think, “All I need is some more willpower or some more self restraint and then I’ll be able to lose the weight”.

But, what if what we actually needed was a little more ease and curiosity?   What if instead of eating to follow the rules, we ate in a way that would bring us pleasure and make our bodies feel good?

As someone who has spent many years trying to understand and unlearn the diet mentality, what I know for sure is that the more we try to control and the harder we grip the faster and harder we crash and burn.

In this video you’ll learn:

  • Why self control and willpower actually contributes to weight gain
  • How our thinking can cause us to overeat
  • What we need instead of more willpower and control
  • How your thoughts create your results
  • How to redirect your energy to get in alignment with your goals

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Your turn!  Have you ever experienced how willpower and self control can actually sabotage your best efforts to be healthy and/or lose weight?

Come down to the comments below and share your thoughts, questions, ideas, and/or your aha! moments.

Weight Loss

About Dani Spies

Dani Spies is the founder and host of Clean & Delicious; a weekly cooking show on YouTube and a healthy eating blog that celebrates real, whole foods! She takes a holistic approach to health and wellness and is loved for her approachable, down to earth style both in and out of the kitchen.

Learn MoreWork With Me

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  1. Ingrid says

    July 6, 2018 at 10:45 am

    5 stars
    Hi Dani~. My first time to your website and I truly enjoyed & agree to what you are saying in your video on willpower & self-discipline doesn’t work. I have done the Atkins diet repeatedly and loss weight but I always gain it back. I get more depressed and disgusted with myself and don’t understand why I can’t keep weight off. I lost 65lbs and gained 60 back and now I’m so uncomfortable physically and mentally. I’m looking forward to reading your information and hoping I find a new approach on eating from you that can help me find my way. Thank you, Ingrid

    Reply
    • Dani says

      July 17, 2018 at 10:35 am

      5 stars
      Hi Ingrid! I know first hand that weight loss can feel like a slippery slope – BUT keep remembering that patience, curiosity, kindness + forgiveness are the first steps! XXOO

      Reply

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