Have you ever burnt out on a diet?

I came across this definition of burnout in an essay written about the subject as it relates to medical students -- but I think it has application here:

"The best definition of burnout I found was on medhunters.com: "a gradual process whereby chronic stress leads to feelings of negativity and malaise and, ultimately, results in the loss of motivation."

To one degree or another, it is probably safe to say we have all experienced the feelings  of negativity and malaise and the resulting loss of motivation -- in general life and perhaps associated with weight loss.

Ever been dieting really diligently for a week only to get on the scale and have it say you have only lost a pound?  Did it demotivate you?  Did it make you think everything you gave up wasn't worth the pound you lost because "what's one pound?"

The article goes on to say:

It seems that the source of "negativity and malaise" is not only chronic stress. With endless lists of things to study it's easy to neglect self-expression, or introspection, or relationships that can be self-defining. Burnout is more than being overworked; it's losing yourself in the labor.

So, perhaps the remedy is more than just relaxing, though that's part of it. (Sleep definitely helps.) Perhaps the necessary approach is to consider what fed the flame that burnt out, stock up on fuel, and relight."

It's losing yourself in the labor.

This is the best description I have read about burnout. -- becoming something other than yourself because of the work you are doing.

Food is a trickly thing in our society.  The food we eat tells a story about who we are and where we came from.  It connects us to our past.  We eat to be social (which is at the core of our humanity).  When a diet is imposed on us (even by ourselves), it causes us to be someone other than who we are (sometimes that might be a seemingly good thing -- like if you go eat fast food 4 times a day) but the thought still holds that it is changing who you are.

I assume at one point or another you have tried to turn yourself into the round peg to fit into the round hole instead of being your naturally square self -- it was really difficult, wasn't it?

Burnout that comes with health behavior change isn't ultimately healthy because you won't keep up the healthy behavior as the burnout mounts.  My suggestion?  Do just what the author above suggests:

Perhaps the necessary approach is to consider what fed the flame that burnt out, stock up on fuel, and relight.

Think about all the foods that make your heart sing and figure out ways to eat smaller portions of them.  Even at a smaller portion, most of us will still feel connected to who we are as we eat them.  And it won't take very long before those smaller portions will become part of who we are -- and then the whole process gets easier.