Join me on Wednesday, July 14, at 1:00 – 2:00 p.m. Eastern Time for an interview with Alexis Conason about her new book, The Diet-Free Revolution: 10 Steps to Free Yourself from the Diet Cycle with Mindful Eating and Radical Self-Acceptance. There is still time to register and if the time doesn’t work for you, you will get the recording after we are done. Register HERE.

In addition, buy the book. In my endorsement of the book, I wrote this about it. “The ultimate guide to why diets don’t work and what to do instead—backed by strong and plentiful science…. This book is a must-read for both professionals and the general public who are seeking to end the suffering and embrace the joy of eating and living.”

I particularly like the way Alexis takes us through solid research about the toll that diet culture has taken on our bodies and minds. Even though diets are more plentiful than ever, they are consistently inconsistent in helping us feel better or eat differently. As stated in the book, “recent research indicates that between 80 and 95 percent of diets fail to achieve long-term weight loss and maintenance. In fact, the most predictable long-term outcome of dieting may be weight gain.”

I have people in my Eat for Life classes tell me how their doctors take a look at their number on a scale and give a blanket prescription of “go on a diet.” First of all, many of these people are engaged in healthy activities that support their well-being. Second, we know that diets don’t work for most people. So, this prescription is weight shaming, stigmatizing, and guilt-producing–all things that tend to decrease health instead of improving it.

Instead of giving people the directive to “go on a diet,” it would make a lot more sense for the medical establishment to focus on helping people with the four behaviors consistently associated with health regardless of BMI–not smoking, not drinking alcohol to excess, eating fruits and vegetables, and being physically active.

Reading this book might help you decide to give up the scale and diets once and for all. Weight shaming, stigma, and guilt does more physical harm than you might imagine. As an alternative, Alexis and I both would recommend a mindful approach to your food and body. Mindfulness helps you to tune into your body for signs of hunger and fullness, as well as many other indications that you need rest, movement, compassion, care, and meaningful activity.

If you would like some help understanding how to practice mindfulness and how to apply it to your relationship with food and your body, pick up the book and listen to the interview. In addition, take a deep dive into a mindfulness practice by joining my Eat for Life class starting in September. Registration is open now and more information can be found here.

Saying goodbye to dieting can be hard in a culture that tells us we need to be different than we are and that we can never be thin or young enough. But you can break up with your dieting mentality and find happiness instead. Let us help show you the way!