The F*ck It Diet

1. Diets don't work: They trigger a biological famine response

Dieting is putting your body through a famine.

Biological survival mode. When you restrict food intake, your body interprets this as a famine and activates survival mechanisms. This leads to:

• Slowed metabolism
• Increased hunger hormone (ghrelin) production
• Obsessive thoughts about food
• Compulsive eating behaviors

Yo-yo cycle. Dieting creates a destructive pattern:

• Restriction → Biological compensation → Binge eating → Guilt and shame → More restriction

The Minnesota Starvation Experiment demonstrated the profound physical and psychological effects of food restriction, even in previously healthy individuals. These effects persisted long after the experiment ended, highlighting the long-term impact of dieting on the body and mind.

2. Embrace hunger and eat without restriction

If you are hungry, eat. Even if you think you have already eaten too much.

Trust your body. Your hunger and cravings are not the enemy – they are your body's way of communicating its needs. Allow yourself to eat whenever you're hungry, without judgment or guilt.

Neutralize food. Remove all food rules and restrictions. This includes:

• Allowing all types of food, including those previously deemed "bad" or "unhealthy"
• Eating at any time of day, regardless of conventional mealtimes
• Consuming larger portions if that's what your body is asking for

By fully embracing and satisfying your hunger, you'll eventually reach a point where food loses its power over you. Your appetite will normalize, and you'll naturally find balance without the need for rigid control.

3. Rest and movement: Listen to your body's needs

Exercise is really good for you if you are fed and rested.

Prioritize rest. Many people, especially chronic dieters, are in a constant state of stress and depletion. Allow yourself to rest without guilt:

• Take daily lie-downs for at least 10 minutes
• Get adequate sleep
• Say no to commitments that drain you

Intuitive movement. Instead of forcing yourself to exercise, listen to your body's desire for movement:

• Engage in activities you genuinely enjoy
• Rest when you're tired
• Allow your energy levels to guide your activity

Remember that overexercising, especially when underfed, can be just as damaging to your metabolism as restrictive dieting. Trust that your body will naturally crave movement once it's properly nourished and rested.

4. Confront and process emotions instead of numbing them

The paradox is that once you do the scary work of feeling what's in there, it becomes easier.

Feel to heal. Many people use food (both restriction and overeating) to avoid uncomfortable emotions. Instead:

• Practice the "breathe and feel" technique: Set a timer for 5 minutes, focus on the most intense sensation in your body, and breathe into it
• Use journaling (brain dumps) to explore and process your thoughts and feelings
• Allow yourself to experience the full range of emotions, even the uncomfortable ones

Identify numbing behaviors. Recognize when you're using food, work, social media, or other activities to avoid feeling. While occasional emotional eating is normal, chronic avoidance of emotions can lead to a buildup of unprocessed feelings and perpetuate disordered eating patterns.

By learning to confront and process your emotions, you'll reduce the need to use food as a coping mechanism and develop a healthier relationship with both food and your inner world.

5. Challenge limiting beliefs about food, body, and worth

Your beliefs matter in virtually every domain, in everything we do.

Identify limiting beliefs. Common beliefs that hinder a healthy relationship with food and body include:

• "I need to be thin to be worthy/happy/successful"
• "Certain foods are inherently bad or dangerous"
• "My weight determines my health and value"

Question and reframe. Use the "Belief Release" technique:

1. Write down a limiting belief
2. Explore its origins and emotional impact through journaling
3. Breathe into the physical sensations associated with the belief
4. Imagine releasing the belief and replacing it with a more empowering perspective

Remember that many of these beliefs are rooted in diet culture and societal conditioning, not scientific fact or personal truth. Challenging and reframing these beliefs is essential for long-term healing and a positive relationship with food and your body.

6. Accept your body at any size and let go of weight control

Paradox of paradoxes, allowing yourself to gain weight is the only way to stop this cycle.

Embrace body diversity. Recognize that:

• Bodies come in all shapes and sizes naturally
• Weight is largely determined by genetics and factors outside our control
• Health is possible at many sizes

Let go of the scale. Constant weighing and attempts to manipulate your weight keep you trapped in the diet mentality. Instead:

• Focus on how you feel in your body
• Pay attention to other indicators of health and well-being
• Dress and care for your body at its current size

Accepting your body doesn't mean giving up on health. It means pursuing health through self-care, nourishment, and joyful movement, rather than through restriction and punishment. This acceptance is crucial for breaking the cycle of dieting and finding true peace with food and your body.

7. Prioritize self-care and living a fulfilling life beyond dieting

Your life has been waiting patiently (and boredly) for you to stop worrying about stupid shit.

Rediscover your passions. Dieting and body obsession often consume enormous amounts of mental and emotional energy. As you heal your relationship with food, redirect that energy towards:

• Hobbies and interests you've neglected
• Relationships and social connections
• Personal growth and learning
• Meaningful work or creative pursuits

Set boundaries. Learn to say no to people, activities, and situations that don't align with your values or well-being. This includes:

• Refusing to engage in diet talk or body shaming
• Limiting time with people who trigger negative body thoughts
• Prioritizing activities that bring you joy and fulfillment

Remember that you are not on this earth to count calories or achieve a certain body size. By letting go of the diet mentality and embracing a more holistic approach to self-care, you open yourself up to a richer, more meaningful life experience.

Last updated: October 1, 2024