If you had your car repaired and it worked temporarily, you wouldn’t say, “It worked, but then I blew it.” Yet with most diet and lifestyle programs, people may see short term results, but blame themselves when they find it’s hard to follow their rules indefinitely. In fact, most people we work with have a long list of programs that didn’t work long-term because diets aren’t sustainable.
Attainable is not the same as sustainable
I was on the phone with a smart professional who’s really good at what he does. As often happens when people find out what kind of work I do, he shared what he’s tried in the past to control his eating, including some of the advice he’d been given by various people.
(You know the list: Intermittent fasting, low carb, counting points, rigorous workouts, cleanses, and so on…)
And despite success in other areas of his life, this is an area he continued to struggle with.
He explained that everything seems to work—for a while—then ended his story with this phrase that reminded me why I do what I do:
“…so I’m just hoping I can find something I can sustain.”
If it’s not sustainable, then it doesn’t “work”!
It’s so frustrating to me that diet-culture has trained people to think that short-term changes mean their diets or lifestyle plans “work”—but when they stop working, it’s your fault. So, you’re right back to searching for something else to put your hope in (and waste your time and money on).
I’m all for lifestyle changes, but if a diet’s not sustainable, then it didn’t work!
Show the world how hard we tried!
In the Comments section below, we compiled a list of the programs we tried that “worked” but didn’t last. (I went first!) By making a list of all the diets, plans, and programs we’ve been on, we start to break down diet-culture’s lies by showing that we DID try. We didn’t fail. The diets, programs, and plans failed us!
Hear me! If you’ve been on the diet roller coaster, it’s not because you failed. Diet culture failed you by convincing you their outside-in, when-then approach could actually change things:
When you follow these rules, then you’ll feel good.
Aren’t you done postponing your life until you can finally stick to some magical formula?
Aren’t you sick of all the ridiculous and unsustainable rules? Aren’t you tired of the restriction that leaves you feeling left out and helpless? Aren’t you exhausted from spending so much of your energy trying to stick to a plan that you can’t wait to get off?
How about trying something truly different?
Some may still want to try another diet or extreme workout program. I get it; the allure of a quick fix is powerful and makes it easy to forget all the other times it didn’t last because diets aren’t sustainable.
But the person I’m talking to now is the one who is tired of the “latest and greatest” fad and is craving a lasting approach to crafting a vibrant life.
Is that you?
A when-then that actually makes sense
When all the fads have failed you, when all the outside-in work you’ve done just leads right back to where you started, then it’s time to try an inside-out approach.
If you say, “Michelle, I’ve tried everything,” I can only say, “You haven’t tried this.”
But where do you start?
With Mindful Eating!
Our mission is to help you restore your relationship with food and put you in charge, listening to (and trusting!) your body, and feeling fully equipped to meet your needs.
It’s a huge shift from all the crap (sorry, but that’s the way I feel) out there that promise that eating on a certain schedule, practically eliminating a certain food group, or even that their old plan “reimagined” is fundamentally different from everything else you’ve tried!
Instead, I want to offer you an inside-out approach that will change the way you think about food… if you’re ready and willing!
Click here to learn about our Level 1 Mindful Eating Support Community. It includes live Zoom Workshops and individual coaching with me (Michelle May MD) and too many other benefits to list here!
I’d love the opportunity to show you that although diets aren’t sustainable, freedom and peace with food is possible!
58 thoughts on “Do you have a list of programs that “worked” —temporarily?”
I started dieting when I was about 12. I did a competition with my stepfather first, then joined Weight Watchers – which I did off and on for about 20 years! Somewhere in there I also did a doctor-supervised program that included drinking water with vinegar (yuk!). It must have been a low-carb plan because I remember them testing me for ketones every week to make sure I wasn’t cheating. I am SO glad that I’m done with all that!
I tried:
Weight watchers
Jenny Craig
Low carb high fat
Sugar free
Low GI
Atkins
Meal replacements (low calorie shakes)
The blood test diet
Hypnotherapy
Am now I’m my absolute heaviest
I’ve done Richard Simmons “Deal a Meal”, Low fat diet enhanced by Orlistat, Atkins,Phentermine with low calories and last year the ITG diet which is very low calorie low carb diet. I lost a lot of weight each time especially with Phentermine and the ITG diet. But here I am again ,I’ve put all the weight back on and then some! I am heavier than I’ve ever been. I have your book,and have had it for a couple months. I’m so frustrated I haven’t read it because I feel like it’s me and it is one more thing I won’t stick to.
Love the idea of reviewing everything I’ve tried!
1. Liquid diet in the early 70s! Almost passed out because I was also limiting my water intake to lose more weight faster! I was completely clueless. My sister, who was also on this red liquid substance, lost a lot of hair!
2. Never actually tried Weight Watchers, although I went to 1 meeting. Because I only needed/wanted to lose 10 pounds, I wasn’t particularly comfortable in that group environment, nor did I fit in very well.
3. Starvation…ate very little and lost the 10 pounds and had an emotional breakdown (not a real one, but I was a bit of a mess).
4. Listing every morsel that enters my mouth. I’ve done this a number of times and it’s actually useful to see how quickly many items add up. I’m doing this again and find it helpful for a sense of focus, control and meets some hidden OCD characteristics.
5. Now I’m on my own pretty effective See’s candy diet program. I eat healthfully and in appropriate amounts and if I do so throughout the day, I may be rewarded with 1 piece of See’s candy, which I love and could eat a lot more of.
So, although I’m almost 75 years old and pretty active, that damn 13 pounds returns every 3 to 5 years! And now I’ve again lost 5 pounds in 3 weeks.. so not so bad, but I do understand there are no magic “diets.” Just smaller portions of healthy, nutritious foods plus exercise.. nothing new under the sun. And the See’s seems to be working pretty well. U don’t actually have one every day, but I do look forward to it!
I think I started dieting at 10! My mom wanted to lose weight and I needed to lose weight, so she dragged me to the doctor and we both went on a diet and were given diet pills. After a month, I had lost some pounds, but my mom hadn’t so we never returned to the doctor. As a teenager I joined Weight Watchers and experienced my first reaching of my goal weight on a very low fat diet. I could never sustain it, and honestly never really saw myself as thin enough. I’ve gained the weight back half a dozen times and kept going back (definition of insanity). I’ve also tried Nutrisystem with very short term success and I tried to go “healthy vegan”. I think at that point, my digestive tract was pretty much ruined and it couldn’t handle it. I had been suffering with Gallbladder disease since at least 18 yrs old. It was misdiagnosed until I was 24 years old and so sick, they could see it protruding from my abdomen. Once that was out, then the acid reflux started. Trying to eat vegan without any vinegar or spices was too brutal. Each time, I felt a failure and would gain more than I ever lost and blamed myself solely. Some people say they reward themselves with food or that food is their best friend – well that’s not my experience. I punished myself with food, telling myself the usual range of insults all equating to – I’m not good enough. Eventually, my health took such a bad turn that I considered BiPass surgery. I had the Sleeve in January of 2018 and had some issues and they ended up converting me to the BiPass in September of 2018. I still had some issues until recently. My digestive tract is like a battlefield and very wounded, But I have worked really hard with this TOOL and have shed 165 lbs and am just short of a reasonable goal. I am now focusing on mindful eating to take me across the finish line and become my new lifestyle.
I started gaining weight when puberty hit (I was 10 years old). I leveled off at the age of 13 and held there until I left home at 18. I joined TOPS right away (my mother was in that program) because I wanted a man to pay attention to me. I lost weight but he didn’t notice and I was devastated. I thought it was my fault so I started emotional eating and yo-yo dieting, losing weight and gaining back 10 extra pounds each time. I joined Weight Watchers (3 times), did the Atkins diet, Thin 4 Life, and abstaining from sugar and flour. Six years ago I found the mindful eating program and I am forever done with diets that don’t work! Now I eat what I love and love what I eat AND am living a big beautiful vibrant mindful life. It’s been an amazing journey that continues today.
list of programs that work but did not last: weight watchers, low carb high protien, ketogenic, green tea, weight lost doctor with injections and phentermine, south beach, atkins.
Starting at age 15 (I’m 32 now)
Slim fast
Herbalife
Special K (dry) as meal replacer
Calorie counting (handwritten in the early 2000s, apps 2010 and beyond)
Low carb
Low fat
Intermittent fasting(lasted 1 day)
Excessive or strict exercise with all of the above
Weight Watchers (multiple times)
Keto
Atkins
South Beach
Calorie counting
First Place for Health
Weigh Down Diet*
Thin Within*
*hunger/fullness plans
i started with Weight Watchers in my teens. Then I joined LA Weight loss and used diet pills, diuretics and low calorie diet, Atkins came next. Then another spin on the WW wheel a time or 2 more. I also joined HMR program and was told that I needed to eat only 1100 calories and work out 70 mins per day (after working a full-time job and having 2 kids at home.That;’s when I gave up somewhat but dieting mindset has taken longer to get over.
Weight Watchers 2x
TOPS 2x
Atkins
Glycemic Index bean diet (part of a study)
When I gained 15 lbs. my freshman year at college, I basically starved myself by eating salad at lunch and lean meat for dinner, if they offered it at the dining hall or a can of tuna, if they didn’t. I got so weak I couldn’t participate in my tennis class. That’s when I started bingeing. Then I tried Weight Watchers, at least 3 times, a hospital-sponsored low-calorie, controlled portion plan, a wellness eating program & Overeaters Anonymous. I’ve read at least 20 diet books offering various diet plans that I followed on my own for some period of time. The most recent (and last ) diet was in November of 2017, on the recommendation of my doctor due to my blood glucose being 110, I went to a registered dietician who put me on a diabetic exchange plan and weighed me every time I saw her. When that diet failed me (& ironically my blood glucose has not been over 100 since), that was when I committed to AIH and promised myself I will never diet again!
I have tried various diets over the years. Here is my list!
The Dolly Parton Diet
The Cabbage Soup Diet
The Carbohydrate Addict’s Diet
The South Beach Diet
131 Method
I also did a 3 day cleanse and hated it. I felt very hungry and very miserable. I’ve tried intermittent fasting and only last about 12 hours. I don’t like feeling so deprived.
I’ve tried Weight Watchers, Slim Fast, OA, OA How, A personal trainer ( I thought that was the non diet version to lose weight) The Diet Center, Learning Clean eating the Rosca Reno, Accountability groups. And I was one that really didn’t believe in diets, but if I did one it would be a healthy version.
Mediterranean
GI index diet
I have Deep brain stimulators, take 15 + medications, I have Young Onset Parkinson’s Disease and CLL with complications. My breakfast like a Queen, lunch like a loyal and dinner like a bum.
Weight Watchers 2X
Optavia
I’m excited to start your program in April!
I tried Weight Watchers many times. I got to my goal weight once when I was still in my 20’s. I regained the weight each time I got pregnant. I tried Diet Center, but the calories limit was so low that I couldn’t think properly. After I drove past my own house and couldn’t recognize my best friend’s mother, I decided not to do that one. I lost quite a bit of weight using the MyFitnessPal app and 6-week sugar-free sprints, but could not keep up the motivation and gained almost all of it back. One thing that was semi-successful was a plan (I forget the name) where I could eat anything I wanted as long as the food was an amount the size of my fist. I was not supposed to drink water less than 1/2 hour before my meal so that I would not stretch my stomach with liquids. I got tired of it and went back to Weight Watchers, though, due to social pressure (my friend is a Weight Watchers instructor). I also tried Overeaters Anonymous.
I have a long history of restrictive diets many of which I worked for as a coach-leader. They include Weight Watchers since it began, Jenny Craig, Optifast and HMR, health management resources. That’s approximately 45 years eat-repent-repeat!! It’s taken awhile to learn how to eat mindfully but is well worth the journey!
I forgot I did a 3-day fast in my 20’s where all I consumed was vinegar and honey in water. I think I did it on 2 different occasions. It was horrible! I’d go out to eat with my husband and watch him eat steak and a baked potato. Anyone who calls dieters weak-willed doesn’t know what they’re talking about!
I started with Weight Watchers at 10 years old. Tried every plan for the next 50 years. Tried the Weight Loss Clinic (500 calories/day with daily weigh ins). Also Overeaters Anonymous – no sugar, no white flour, only 3 meals a day. Ready for a big, vibrant life free of food obsession.
I remember in elementary school my mom put me on a grapefruit diet. Then I remember some type of chews that I ate before each meal that was supposed to fill me up and not eat as much. I saw a dietitian while in college. I’ve dieted without following a specific “diet.” Weight Watchers worked a couple of different times and the last thing I’ve done was to have Bariatric Band surgery and I lost weight with it but have gained the weight back.
Beaumont program (2)
Medical Weight Loss
Each program netted reduction of around 80 lbs. Though not sustainable.
Age 12 mom put me on eggs and grapefruit only diet
Ayds (diet aid to reduce appetite) – mom again pushing it.
Atkins diet (doctor took me off it to prevent damaging kidneys)
Weight watchers in various formats
Counting calories, counting servings, counting carbs
Nutritionist (which resulted in a long term reduction in fat in diet but this turns out to work against biology and leads to a lot of frankenfoods)
My Fitness pal (counts calories vs expenditures – I actually found myself walking around my kitchen just before bedtime to get my last 100 steps in to make the net total “right” – talk about insane!)
All this destroyed my metabolism and I could gain weight on 1400 net calories per day. When I stopped restrictive dieting, I became SOOOOO much happier – lost all the judgement of myself, even after gaining some weight. I also think I was headed for an eating disorder so I’m glad I using food now for fueling, enjoyment instead of it being the enemy.
I’ve been dieting since I was 14. I always regained the weight that I lost plus some so that I dieted myself all the way up to super obesity. I’ve ended up with insulin resistance as a result of all of my excess fat, which makes it even more difficult to lose weight. Thanks diets – not.
Diet programs I’ve tried over the last 35+ years:
– Food exchange type program (don’t know the name – my Mom was on it so I followed her)
– Whatever the latest craze was in the Shape magazine when I was a teenager (usually some bizarre combination of food or super low calorie)
– Weight Watchers x 4 or 5
– Dr. Bernstein – extreme low calorie, no carbs, urine tests every 2 days, injections – ended up gaining while in keytosis
– Slim Fast
– The Zone Diet
– Counting calories
– Doctor prescribed diets – what foods to avoid, how many calories to eat, etc.
– Gym Trainer made up diets
– Intermittent starvation
– Body for Life
In the 70’s “Disraeli (incorrect spelling) Army Diet ” – 2 days apples (choose one variety), 2 days cheese (choose one type), 2 days chicken (no skin) and 2 days salad. So other than the obvious boredom, feelings of deprivation and hunger, the apples give you diarrhea, the cheese constipation – BUT if you can stick it out you do drop significant weight and lose your sanity. I am almost embarrassed that my mum and I did this.
My first ever attempt at losing weight was Atkins – 20-net carbs. Made it the two weeks, noticeable weight loss, but, I missed my sweets.
Then I don’t think I tried anything for 20 years until I tried WW Points Plus, lost some weight then, but wasn’t happy eating the diet foods. Been trying their newer programs to help cut down on my sugar, but, going over my point allotment everyday is discouraging. I’ve done Walk away the Pounds too, but that is more exercise I believe. & calorie counting at some point.
HCG first time 13 years old got shots, worked got me started in diet thinking;
Weight watchers 2 or 3 times, couple other smaller programs. Worked for Bob Schwartz author of Diets Don’t Work was successful. Got back to thinking in the diet mentality. Did HCG again, twice, tried no carbs. Relearning again how to pay attention to my signals my body tells me. Thirsty, tired, sad, hungry, not just food tastes and textures, temperatures.
I’ve done no carb when I was in my teens, Atkins, counting calories, cabbage soup (yuck!), Slim Fast, First Place, Weight Down Workshop, and Trim Healthy Mom (it’s actually Mama, but I’m from the north and I can’t get Mama out of my mouth). That’s 42 years of on and off dieting. I started believing the lie that I just can’t lose weight. It’s all very discouraging.
Weight Watchers, multiple times, sometimes it “worked” and sometimes it was a total waste of time and money
Diet Center
Jenny Craig
Atkins
Phentermine under doctor’s supervision
Keto
Thin Healthy Mama (THM)
Low Carb
Mediterranean
Heart Healthy
DASH
And you are right, none have worked! Because each time, I have gained back all the weight and more.
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