Health

5 Women Get Surprisingly Frank About Why They Stopped Dieting

Heed their caution

by Lindsay Tigar | COMMENT

PHOTO 3/6

"I found a passion that prioritized strong over thin." Leadership and empowerment coach Anza Goodbar has always fretted over her weight, a journey she describes as a roller coaster of weight loss and weight gain. "Being thin was always related to being beautiful, so I would strive to take of just ten more pounds," she said."It created a love-hate relationship with my body. I tried calorie counting, fad diets, exercise and diet pills -- you name it." Even though her doctor warned the constant zig-zag of her weight could cause heart issues in her 30s, it wasn't until she fell in love with competitive ballroom dancing in her 40s that her mindset changed.

"My goal wasn't to be thin, but to be healthy and strong. Once I decided I wanted to fuel by body for performance, my desire to give in to cravings and unhealthy eating habits diminished," she explained. "I began to notice how different types of eating affected my body, how I felt and my energy levels. Through trial and error, I discovered that high protein, lots of green veggies and limited processed carbs make me feel at my best and my weight fell in line. I don't have the body type to be a thin Barbie Doll physique -- never have, never will. I do, however, have a positive body image and love myself inside and out and I think that is where real beauty resides."

Image via Anza Goodbar

SEE NEXT PAGE: "A trip to the ER changed my mind."

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