Why Does Dieting Make Us Feel Out Of Control Around Food?

Let’s talk about something so many women over 40 are dealing with - but hardly anyone explains clearly:

Why does dieting make us feel more out of control with food?

You might think, “If I could just stick to a diet, I’d finally get this under control.” But here’s the truth:

Serial dieting (starting diet after diet) is actually making things worse.

Let me explain why that happens - and what you can do instead.

Your Body Is Smart - Really Smart

When you go on a diet, you usually cut back on food. A lot. Maybe you’re skipping meals, avoiding carbs, or eating tiny portions. At first, you might feel proud - look at me being “good!”

But your body doesn’t know you’re doing this to shrink your waistline. It thinks:
“Uh-oh, there’s not enough food coming in! Danger!” (this is our ancient survival mechanism still working for us)

So it starts fighting back in a few sneaky ways:

• It slows down your metabolism (so you burn fewer calories)

• It sends out stronger hunger signals

• It makes you think about food all the time

This is your body trying to protect you. Not sabotage you.

Hunger Cues Get All Mixed Up

When we ignore our natural hunger and fullness signals over and over (like diets tell us to), something frustrating happens…

We lose touch with them.

You may not feel hunger the same way. Or you might feel hungry all the time. Or you don’t notice you’re full until it’s way too late.
This is super common after years of dieting. You’re not broken. Your body just needs time and trust to recalibrate.

The Binge-Restrict Cycle Begins

Ever feel like you’re either “being good” or totally out of control?

That’s called the binge-restrict cycle.

It goes like this:

1. You restrict (try to eat super clean or very little)

2. Your body and brain fight back with cravings and intense hunger

3. You give in (hello, pantry raid), then feel ashamed

4. You vow to “start over” tomorrow - and the cycle begins again

You are not weak. This is a normal response to restriction.

So What Actually Helps?

Here’s the good news: you can break this cycle. And it doesn’t involve willpower - it involves rebuilding trust with your body.

Start with these small steps:

• Eat regular meals - don’t skip! This calms your body’s panic.

• Honor your hunger - if you’re hungry, you need to eat. It’s not a failure.

• Pause when you feel full-ish - just check in. Not to judge, just to notice.

• Give yourself permission to eat all foods - no more “good” or “bad” labels

It might feel scary at first, especially if you’ve been dieting for years. But slowly, your body will start to trust you again - and those crazy hunger swings will settle down.

Final Thought: You Deserve to Feel at Peace With Food

You don’t have to spend the rest of your life fighting your body.

Food freedom isn’t about being perfect. It’s about learning to listen, trust, and nourish yourself - especially in this season of life.

So if you’ve been stuck in diet-after-diet, please know:
It’s not your fault. But it is your time to try something kinder, smarter, and more sustainable.

You’ve got this. 💛

With love,

Your Health Coach, Silke 💖

P.S. Don’t forget to share this with a friend who might need a little inspiration on their weight loss journey! 💌

If you enjoyed this article, you will love my FREE Infographic for women 40+ who want to achieve their dream weight without the frustration of endless dieting and unrealistic routines:

Do you need more support in burning belly fat and reach your dream weight without the gym? As your health coach, I’ll guide you through simple, effective steps that fit into your busy life. It won’t always be easy, but together, we’ll make a healthy diet and fitness a natural part of your day.

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