Are you tired of working so hard to lose weight, just to see the pounds return when you start eating normally again? Do you wonder why you can’t keep off those lost pounds?

It’s a simple answer. Your hormones kick into action to make you regain the weight. It’s all part of a complicated system of metabolic adaptations designed for survival.

bottom line… your body sees weight lost through dieting as a threat to survival.

So what’s a woman who is struggling with too many pounds than is good for her to do? There’s another simple answer: Let your body be your guide.

Here’s our 3-step recipe for reaching your healthy weight and staying there.

• Start with mindful, intuitive eating. It’s a fundamental step for women who have dieted only to keep struggling with their weight.

• Combine it with pleasurable movement. Not to burn calories but to feel good and connect with your body.

• Focus on reducing stress in your life. The stress response interferes with the digestion, absorption and metabolism of the food you eat. It can create weight struggles just by itself. Important point: Dieting to lose weight as well as frequent worry about your weight is a huge stressor.

But don’t just take our word for it. A recent study of 2500 women showed that those who ate intuitively weighed less. And there’s a wealth of research that shows people are healthier and happier as they are able to implement all three of the above steps.

Take the plunge. Stop dieting now.

Learn how to make mindful, intuitive eating a part of your healthy eating plan.  We’ll also help you find the fun in moving your body, and help you develop behavioral strategies that will work for you to reduce the stress in your life.

Consider Green Mountain at Fox Run, an all-women’s weight and health lifestyle program, since 1973.