How can I get my daughter to understand the damaging effects of dieting?

I think it is important to note that not all "dieting" is bad or harmful. This truly depends on the methods utilized, the length of time the "diet" lasts and the focus of said "diet".

It may be truly beneficial to have a discussion with your daughter about the benefits of Eating Healthy, such as:

• improved energy
• increased vitality
• feeling proud of yourself
• doing good things for your body

Many people use the term "dieting" generically.  If your daughter is following a sensible eating plan that incorporates whole grains, fruits and vegetables with plenty of variety and minimal restrictions then I would say to congratulate her.

If, on the other hand, she is focused on dieting as a means for weight loss it would be important to steer her in the direction of the benefits to changing habits for the long-term.

Depending on your daughter's age; she may understand the consequences of her actions, but battling marketing and hype that surrounds so many restrictive diets cna be difficult.  I believe that by being supportive and by getting involved in a healthier eating plan together you could lead by example.  Here a a few more tips for a successful outcome:

• schedule family dinner time 2-3 times per week
• cook healthy, great tasting meals together
• speak about a few of the unhealthy habits you are focused on changing and why.
• have plenty of healthy foods and fruits and vegetables available for the entire family
• purchase less "junk food"
• create healthier dessert recipes together

Speaking to your daughter about the long-term effects of these beneficial habits and how they are better strategies than a restrictive diet plan will go far in aiding her in making better choices for the rest of her life.

Learn to create better habits here! 

To your health,
Robert DeVito 

Measure and Reward your Success

Measure Your Success!  
Not by the scale! Weight loss is a slow and steady process. To truly achieve and maintain your ideal or goal weight it realistically could take months to a year. You must find alternate methods to measure your successes that are not scale related.  Pick some non-gym goals and keep track of how your exercise plan helps you increase your ability to succeed in multiple ways. Examples can be cutting strokes off of your golf game, running and chasing your children without becoming winded or carrying object(s) (laundry) upstairs or feeling better about yourself and having improved energy.

Reward Your Success
Give yourself nonfood rewards.  For example, buy yourself new clothes in smaller sizes or sign up for a massage.  You will soon realize that rewarding yourself with food is not necessary and oftentimes not as enjoyable as a lasting reward.

Yours in health,
-Robert

Slow and Steady

Steer clear of attempting to tackle everything at once.
Often, we take on too much and end up disappointed because we are unable to achieve all of our goals at once.
Change takes time.  It is a process.
Get Dieting Help Here
Choose 1-2 things that you can change in your eating patterns this week.

1. Perhaps, you can be sure to eat breakfast 2 more times than normal this week.
2. Maybe adding in 2-3 more glasses of water daily would help.
3. Reach for Fruit and Veggies before a treat.
4. Buy a Better BAD Version of your favorite treat(s).

Slow and Steady wins the race.