The only diet that works?

I'm really getting too old for this as my knees are getting a little worn; however, I cannot shirk my public responsibility; I must yet scale again my towering soapbox and speak truth to power.

Extra! Extra! Researchers at UCLA say dieting doesn't work!

Yep, according to some of the most advanced minds medical science can cobble together in a laboratory, a recent study discovered that people lose weight initially, but many relapse and regain their weight. In other words, losing weight is easy; keeping it off - not so much.

In the "tell-me-something-I-don't-already-know" department, an obesity researcher at USC added, "It's difficult to modify your diet and turn away from the pleasures of eating." Uh, hello? We didn't know this? Thanks pal for shedding light on that big deep, dark, hidden, mystery. Science marches on.

As I read further, what did my eyes spy but this line: "Specialists generally agree that surgery is the only proven method to keep weight off."

My, oh my, oh my! Where do I even begin? Surgery: the ONLY proven method? Have we lost complete touch with what we're discussing?

This exemplifies the misguided quick fix thinking that surrounds weight loss. Of course, it's a given that extreme plans will fail. If all one does is draw a line in time and say, "Henceforth, I shall never again eat those foods," or conversely, "Those are the only foods I will eat," (the traditional patterns of many diets) the result is a fiasco as "the dieter" is not dealing with the actual cause of her problem: it is NOT what she eats, rather how she thinks.

Our actions - overeating - are not random zombie-like impulses. They are always preceded by thought; sometimes that spark is so blindingly quick (read "habit"), it goes unnoticed, yet it is without exception the precursor. Therefore, if we don't change how we think - what we say to ourselves - we are forever condemned to repeat the offending actions causing weight gain. So, the report is accurate in that, "Most people will put their weight back on." However, it is not due to lack of surgery or powerlessness; rather the frustrating cycle is because we do not focus on doing the inner work necessary for long-term success.

There are some times when surgery is indeed needed, but have we become so addicted to scalpels and pills that we simply toss in the trash heap the phenomenal abilities of the human spirit and drive?

We are miraculous creatures, capable of breath-taking works of art, music that heals the soul, and words that move nations. We have created towering structures that stroke the heavens, machines that breathe life into the dying, and vehicles that can be hurled billions of miles across the vast expanse of space, landing within a bull's-eye the size of my back yard. Surely we are capable of saying, "No thank you" to an extra serving of key lime pie, closing our mouth, and enjoying the success of accomplishment.

It doesn't take surgery for that.