Is Your Diet Failing? here is Why

The notion of going on a diet to lose weight is deeply ingrained in modern culture, yet countless individuals find themselves trapped in a frustrating cycle of temporary success followed by inevitable relapse.

Dieting fails because it places the mind in a state of conflict and stress, treating healthy living as a temporary chore rather than a sustainable lifelong habit. By shifting your mindset to focus on gradual, positive changes of eating healthy, you can break free from the dieting cycle and build a life of longevity and disease free. Remember, the journey to wellness is not a sprint but a marathon, and every step forward is a step toward a healthier you.  

Don't Take it from me 

Knowing that the mind is in a state of torture while on diet was an enlightenment moment of thought for me, thus, I had to understand the psychology behind dieting and the mindset it creates in order to better answer the question of “Why does dieting fail so often”? I will mention a couple of psychological terms that helped me understand.   

Cognitive Dissonance: The Torture State of Dieting

Cognitive dissonance refers to the mental discomfort experienced when our actions conflict with our beliefs or values. When you decide to go on a diet, you’re often forcing yourself to adopt restrictive eating habits that clash with your natural cravings and long-term behavior patterns. This creates a state of internal conflict—a “torture state”—where your mind is constantly at odds with itself.

For example, you might convince yourself that the sacrifice is temporary and that once you’ve achieved your goal, you can return to your old eating habits of eating sweets. This mindset not only perpetuates the discomfort but also sets you up for failure. The moment the diet ends, the old habits resurface, leading to weight regain and feelings of defeat. 

The Temporal Discounting Trap

Temporal discounting is a psychological phenomenon where we prioritize immediate gratification over long-term benefits. Dieting often involves postponing enjoyment (“I’ll deprive myself now to look better later”), which can feel like a punishment. This mindset frames dieting as a temporary state of suffering rather than a sustainable lifestyle change.

Moreover, the constant focus on “later” reinforces the idea that healthy living is something you’ll start “someday,” perpetuating a cycle of procrastination and unhealthy habits.

Stress: a major contributor to weight gain

The stress of dieting can activate the body’s fight-or-flight response, increasing cortisol levels. Chronic stress not only hampers weight loss but also contributes to emotional eating, where food becomes a coping mechanism for stress and negative emotions. This creates a vicious cycle: the stress of dieting leads to overeating, which then reinforces the need for another diet.

What can we do? A Mindset Shift

Rather than convincing yourself to endure temporary torture, consider a gradual, sustainable approach to healthy eating. I have done the following to help me eat healthy and lose weight.  

1. I Adapted a Growth Mindset; instead of focusing on quick results, I prioritize learning and self-improvement, I would celebrate small victories, like choosing a healthier snack or cooking a nutritious meal, as steps toward a long-term goal. A growth mindset involves believing in my ability to develop new habits over time. 
2. I Focused on Healthy Eating, Not Weight Loss; I have Shifted my attention from losing weight to nourish my body with wholesome, nutrient-dense foods aiming for a disease free and longevity. When you make healthy choices consistently, weight loss becomes a natural byproduct rather than the primary objective.  
3. I have Practiced Gradual Habit Formation; Gradual habit formation is rooted in the psychological principle of behavioral conditioning. I have started by incorporating one small change at a time, such as adding more vegetables to my meals or drinking more water. Over time, these small changes compound into a sustainable lifestyle.
4. Mindfulness and Intuitive Eating; Mindfulness involves being fully present in the moment without judgment. I would apply this to eating by paying attention to my body’s hunger and fullness cues. Intuitive eating helps you build a healthy relationship with food and avoid the all-or-nothing mindset of dieting.

I know that the steps above can be overwhelming, but believe me, they will become natural to you as it was for me. Always remember, you’re achieving a lifelong freedom by eliminating bad foods and poisonous ingredients, the feeling of healthy eating was priceless to me especially the part knowing that my choice of good food would take the feeling of guilt away which I always faced as a result of eating unhealthily.   

My advice to you

Reframe Your Goals, instead of thinking, “I need to go on a diet,” reframe your goal as, “I’m learning to make healthier choices for life.” This removes the pressure of perfection and allows you to focus on progress.  When you prioritize health over dieting, you’re not just losing weight—you’re gaining energy, improving your mental well-being, and reducing the risk of chronic diseases. By training your mind to embrace a healthy lifestyle gradually, you’re setting yourself up for lifelong success rather than temporary results. 

By Wadie Aitah