Look, I just went on a diet (like I do every other week). I got the book, I got all the food, I planned my menu, I started on Monday morning, and I mean to tell you I was determined. But then I couldn't do it for more than a day and a half. And when I went back to my usual eating I felt so relieved.

Can you tell me, Dr. Schwarz, what's wrong with this picture?

I think I can. Here's the ultimate reality about dieting. Let's face it, a diet is a set of artificial rules superimposed on your life. Often the things you are supposed to do go directly against what you are used to doing. Isn't this what makes it so hard?

When you ask yourself to make such an about face in your everyday behavior, you are bound to be in conflict, aren't you? After all, you are put in the position of fighting against yourself, a very difficult and disconcerting thing to attempt.

How about if changing your eating, dieting, losing weight, were made much easier and much less opposed to what you know as you? Wouldn't that help?

One way to change the way you eat so that it's virtually painless is to make a series of very small changes. Small changes are a lot easier to make, a lot less scary, a lot less disruptive. But—and here's the great thing—small changes add up and add up until they culminate in exactly all you need to do to reach you weight-loss goal. You'll be amazed at the outcome of a process of very small changes. It smoothes the way for you, it keeps you safe from fear, pain, fatigue, powerlessness, and most of all, failure.

You know, you can start tomorrow if you want. Pick a very small thing you do every day that you think might be keeping your weight/eating problem going. Remember to pick a very small thing. And here's a pivotal guideline: It needs to be something that doesn't sound hard to you at all. It could be a small food thing, or a small behavior, or a something small having to do with a feeling or a thought, or another person, etc.

Try changing this one thing. See how it feels. This is how you can work your way into a weight-loss diet so that when you get there, you'll be ready to do it.

Stick with it. This old saying hangs on for a good reason: Every journey begins with just one, small step.

© Maria's Last Diet. Maria's Last Diet is an online weight loss support website for women. At Maria's Last Diet, you'll find the tools to fix the thoughts, feelings, and automatic habits that fight against you when you diet. Because it's never just about the food. Visit www.mariaslastdiet.com for more diet tips and weight loss motivation.

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