Party party party 5 there tell us that all we have to do is eat the way they tell us and the weight will just fall off . This is usually true , as there are very few diets that don ’ t cause weight loss . But what they don ’ t tell us is how difficult it is to eat this way for the long-term . It doesn ’ t matter how effective a diet is in causing weight loss if we can ’ t maintain it indefinitely . Whenever you start a diet you must ask the question , ‘ Is this something that I can see myself doing in six months , a year , or in six years ’ time ?’ If the honest answer is ‘ no ’ don ’ t put yourself through the heartache and roller-coaster of the weight-loss cycle . This is the essence of ‘ begin as you wish to continue ’. It is about being honest and admitting it to yourself right upfront if you cannot see yourself keeping up a new behavior for the long-term . Trust yourself to answer this question . Just ask yourself and listen carefully . You know what you can and can ’ t do once the initial enthusiasm falls away . I suspect you have very probably embarked on a weight-loss plan before ! Listen to your inner wisdom . Through the following chapters I am going to show you how to do it all somewhat differently . For the love of food Many years ago I began working as a psychotherapist . A psychotherapist is a clinician who helps their clients to change without relying on drugs or – for that matter – on self-discipline . For well over a decade now I ’ ve had the honor of helping hundreds of people change their behavior , change their relationships and change their lives . I use the word ‘ honor ’ because it has been a special privilege to be a part of the courageous struggle with personal growth that only a small percentage of the population is prepared to embark on . Along the way , I