What do you think about being able to eat whatever you want AND ending overeating at the same time? Some people think these are two totally inconsistent things. Some say, “If I ate whatever I wanted, I’d never stop eating!” How you react depends on where you are along the weight loss path. This week and next, the podcast focuses on the long and winding path of becoming a naturally thin person and losing the weight for good.  If you think this isn’t important, I urge you to think again. Because for me and many of my clients, understanding this was the difference between success and failure. It made all the difference. It was a turning point. There are four stages on the path to eating the way naturally slim people do. Actually, there are four stages of learning anything, and learning how to eat in a way that will allow you to enjoy the foods you love while losing weight requires you to learn a bunch of things. One of my clients recently had a lightbulb moment about that. She realized that what I was teaching her wasn’t a diet, but rather, “I’m learning a new skill!” That helped her get into the right mindset for success. That mindset is totally different from the diet mindset of, “I’m starting fresh Monday!” How many times have you done that? Then you spend the weekend eating like there’s no tomorrow to prepare for the upcoming deprivation. And you stick with the new plan until you get sick of it or screw up, whichever comes first. Then you toss in the towel and go back to eating the way you always have. Which means continuing to gain weight. Which stage are you at now?  Listen to figure out the answer!