7 surprising diet roadblocks

Clinical nutritionist Sarah Di Lorenzo shares her tools to navigate obstacles to mindful eating habits and achieving a healthy weight.

- Sarah Di Lorenzo

People generally start a health journey ready and determined. They plan, do the food prep, and are full steam ahead for the first few weeks. Then, for some, motivation starts to wane, and it’s a challenge to stay on track. At this point it helps to remember why you wanted to lose weight, and be realistic about your progress. The reality is that even when you set goals, keep a journal, show yourself kindness and remind yourself how much you’ve achieved … roadblocks crop up. They’re like potholes on your wellness journey. And over the years, while the list is long and varied, there are common hurdles we need to face. Some you can prepare for, like grazing when bored, reaching for food when you’re stressed or getting caught out in restaurants. Others, like those I detail here, can be harder to spot. But once you’re aware of them, they can be solved.

1. Getting in your own way

Self-sabotage is thought patterns or behaviours that prevent you achieving goals, and it’s common. In a weight-loss setting, I see self-sabotage when my patients are fearful of not getting to their goal weight or getting there and not maintaining it. So, they unconsciously pack it all in and sabotage themselves.

The first step is to feel comfortable with failure and see it as something to learn from. The next step is to recognise your triggers. Is it a result of comments others have made? Or perhaps work pressures? Once you recognise the triggers you can move on from them. Finally, write down goals or write a letter to yourself outlining what you want, and when you feel like giving up, make yourself a cup of tea, read the letter and remind yourself why you’re on this journey.