The Dimmer Switch
Many people treat their overweight condition based on whether they are "on” or "off” a diet. Usually they would say to themselves that they have to do something about their weight and would go "on” a diet. They would then proceed to do all the right things that are on the "diet on” list (i.e. drink water, exercise, and of course, follow the diet exactly). This kind of thinking actually sets one up for failure because the only way to always be "on” is to be perfect. Since no one can be perfect all the time we'll actually be "off” more than "on.”
To help combat this problem, Dr. Harry Lefebre in Calgary has his clients stop thinking about whether they are off or on a diet and start thinking "weight control.” He suggests that they think about weight control as a dimmer switch such as one might find on the light fixture in the dining room. He suggests that people base a meal, a day, a weekend or a party on how much control they had versus whether or not they are on or off their diet. Excellent control would be bright light and poor control would be a much dimmer light. Keep in mind that any light would be control and therefore would demonstrate success!
Take a wedding for example. Instead of saying that you are going off your diet at the wedding, put the dimmer switch theory in to practice. You start off the wedding by having a couple of cocktails and the light begins to fade (but doesn't go off like the on-off theory). You catch yourself and eat a few celery sticks instead of potato chips and dip. The light brightens and you begin to feel positive. You make various choices from the buffet table causing the light to oscillate back and forth. You dance a lot (exercise) causing a bright light tempered by two more cocktails (with diet mix) causing the dimmer switch to continually go back and forth. At the end of the evening you summarize the wedding by examining your dimmer switch. All the light on the chandelier would be your success. Just think what would happen if after your first cocktail the dimmer switch went all the way to off and the light went out! Anytime we shut the light off just think about the power it takes to get the light going again. That's what happens to our mental powers and motivation when in the past we practiced the "on-off” diet approach.
In summary, remember the "dimmer switch” and think "weight control” versus on or off a diet. Play with your dimmer switch for a few weeks analyzing your day, weekend or special event reminding yourself that as long as the light is on, you are having success in controlling your weight.