The Stages of Dieting

When you start a new diet you often lose a decent amount of weight in the first couple of weeks. You typically get this immediate sense of pride and success from the new changes you've made because you are seeing results. Plus, add in that you are super motivated. I always call this phase "The Honeymoon Phase" (and yes I didn't invent that, but it is what I commonly refer to it as).

I definitely experience this every time. The first few weeks seem great. Then you've lost the water weight and it is like "now what?" Now, I've never reached a goal weight, so I can't really say what all the stages really are and really it probably varies from person to person. I've definitely stuck to this the longest I have ever and I'm happy to say that 5 1/2 months in I'm going strong!

Personally, I wavered in months 3-4. I don't know if it was added stress that I had been waiting for my bar results and starting a new job or what. But I definitely went a span of weeks only losing .4s and then I hit 20lbs and lost and gained and lost the same 2lbs for weeks. Somewhere in all that mess, something clicked and I decided how much I really wanted this. I really examined what I had been doing during those months and made changes. Sure, I'd love to be losing quicker, but hey I'm not that lucky! I'll take what I can get.

Thinking about this reminded me of a hilarious episode of "Modern Family" and if you don't watch that show you should definitely check it out!

Let's face it - sometimes when you are dieting you go through some craziness.

This clip was not easy to track down (youtube disappointed me), but you can find it here if you haven't seen the clip before.

Here are Cam's stages of dieting:

1. The Clean Sweep

Removing any and all junk food. Completely cleaning out the kitchen and throwing everything away!

2. Attack Mitchell

If you haven't seen the show, Mitchell is Cam's partner. Stage 2 is attacking people close around you. Snapping at people and just in general being emotionally all over the place. 

3. Soap Actress

Being completely over dramatic! 

4. A Rush of Epiphany

Making statements like "I don't need food!"

5. Despair

In a slump, no emotional reaction to anything. 

6. Rage

Well, this one is self-explanatory

7. Un-hinged?

You've lost it. 

And Beyond

I just think the show is so funny and when I saw this episode and the sub-plot on dieting it cracked me up, but it is also true! The thing with all these stages is that he was also doing a juice fast. Now, I'm not knocking any diets, you do what works for you and what you and your doctor decide, but in my opinion diets that are very drastic and super restrictive sometimes have this cycle where you are good then you become unhinged and then gain it all back. I know I've gotten to the stage of completely unhinged before (and maybe slightly crazy). Now I can laugh about it. I think you have better odds of keeping yourself, and your emotions, in check when you follow a healthy eating plan that is balanced. 

What do you think? Do you have a normal stages of dieting you go through? How will you overcome them to reach your goals?

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On and unrelated note, I switched to blogger from wordpress and on wordpress you reply to people by responding directly to their posts and they are notified. Here, I've realized that people aren't notified when you respond to their comments on posts. Sorry about that! I will respond to everyone's comments via email so feel free to comment and ask any questions you want and I will respond as soon as I can :) If you have been commenting, thank you! I have been responding, but directly on the posts. 

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Lastly, If you haven't already entered the giveaway you can do so here!