Confessions of a Serial Dieter

The Scarsdale Diet. The Cabbage Soup Diet. Weight Watchers. The South Beach Diet. The Master Cleanse. HCG Injections. Yep, been there, tried it. I was a serial dieter, always poised and waiting for the next shiny new plan with miraculous promises.

I spent much of my adult life chasing the next magic solution. And during the odd times when I wasn’t on a diet, I was using exercise as a punishment—or at least as a way to “earn” my meals or make up for “bad” food choices.

Years on that hamster wheel never helped me. I felt like an addict, looking for the next quick fix, never finding the solution. Instead, I felt chronically exhausted, constantly chasing easy answers that simply didn’t exist.

In fairness, Western culture and some great marketing had taught me all of this, and unfortunately, I was the perfect customer. I bought it all—hook, line, and sinker. I lived by diet rules rather than just living my life. And if I broke those rules? Cue the downward spiral, leading me directly to the next program.

The social stress alone should have been a red flag. I was so afraid of food, I kept very little in the house and avoided going out with friends for fear of losing control.

I never learned how to connect with actual hunger, notice patterns in my cravings, or figure out what my body actually needed. My obsession with food and striving for the perfect weight left me mentally exhausted and all-consumed.

The Wake-Up Call

It wasn’t until I was close to my 50th birthday that I finally realized something had to give. My body was changing as I entered menopause, and I knew I needed something sustainable—not another round of chaos and restriction.

It was embarrassing, really. By that time, I was certified as a Holistic Nutritionist and Holistic Health Practitioner—yet I couldn’t manage to get a grip on my own behaviors. So…I let go of my ego and admitted I needed help.

That’s when I hired a coach.

The Power of Coaching

What I loved most about my coach was her non-judgmental approach. She reassured me that I wasn’t broken and that there was nothing wrong with me. Together, we worked on shifting my focus—moving away from weight loss and toward actual health.

I learned simple habits that made me feel better right now. The result?
🔹 More energy
🔹 Fewer cravings
🔹 Better mood
🔹 Food freedom

At first, I worried that letting go of rigid rules would mean losing control completely. But surprisingly, small, consistent changes led to real, lasting progress.

I learned to listen to my body—eating when I was hungry, stopping when I was satisfied, and choosing foods that made me feel good instead of obsessing over “good” or “bad” labels. And shockingly, the less I stressed about food, the easier it became to make healthier choices.

Real Change Is Messy (But Worth It)

While that all sounds simple and wonderful, let’s be real—the process was anything but. Progress is never linear, no matter what the sunshiny ads try to tell you. But with my coach by my side, I learned how to:

✔ Pick myself up when I fell.
✔ Use self-compassion rather than self-judgment.
✔ Recognize and celebrate all wins—big or small.

Over time, I embraced new lessons:
✔ Eat with flexibility, not fear.
✔ Focus on nourishment, not punishment.
✔ Let go of ‘good’ vs. ‘bad’ food labels.
✔ Move because it feels good—not because I “have to.”
✔ Real change happens through consistency, not extremes.

From Serial Dieter to Coach

Coaching worked so well for me that I started pursuing my own coaching certifications. Because there are way too many women needlessly struggling with body dysmorphia and a difficult relationship with food—especially during menopause. It’s a cycle that has to stop.

Now, this is what I do. And let me tell you—there’s nothing better than seeing another woman’s aha! moment. Helping someone break free from diet culture is one of the best feelings in the world.

Had I realized earlier how much easier it is to let go of ego and get the support we need, I like to think I would have jumped on it and saved myself years of frustration and pain.

But, as they say, when the student is ready, the teacher appears.

Menopause can last a third of our lifespan (or more!)—so isn’t it time we started treating ourselves better?

Your Next Step

Your coaches (your teachers) are here to help you when you’re ready. All you have to do is ask.

Book in for a free call to speak to either myself or James now - we'll get you back on track! See https://freecall.fabulousbeyond40.com/