This time of year makes me crazy!

So many people go on diets. Diets don’t work, and here’s why. When you restrict what you eat, you feel deprived.

Have you ever tried to lose weight by following a diet plan – focusing on certain foods while avoiding others – and had trouble sticking with it? Have you succumbed to your cravings by eating a forbidden food or having a “cheat day”? Did you feel like you blew it or failed, which then led you to eat all of the foods your diet restricted?

Many Americans find themselves caught in a cycle of restrictive dieting followed by dysfunctional eating, sometimes for years. Others think that working out will help them lose weight. Although working out is good for your body and mind, the truth is weight loss is 80 percent nutrition.

Studies have shown that people lose weight initially but then end up gaining it back and then some. The initial phase of restrictive dieting is alluring as many people do lose weight and, therefore, perceive their efforts as successful.

But, social or celebratory events often feature restricted foods and, eventually, we cave. The floodgates of previously forbidden foods open and we indulge in our temptations, often overindulging. During this break from our diets, we likely gain weight and, wanting to lose it, circle back to restrictive dieting … and so the cycle continues.

Having worked in the beauty industry, I’ve heard of every diet and have seen women lose lots of weight. I also saw that they gain the weight back, eventually.

Several years ago, I started working with a nutrition company and learned so much about weight loss. I lost 12 pounds in 30 days and have maintained my weight for over five years.

Over the next few weeks, I will be sharing some of the things I learned and what I use to maintain my weight. Let’s make 2021 the year you give up dieting!