35 Times People’s Diets Made Everything Worse Instead Of Better

"Probably the most common misconception about dieting is the 'eat kale and move' approach," Iris Gorfinkel, M.D. general practitioner, medical researcher, and the founder of PrimeHealth Family Practice and Clinical Research, told Bored Panda.

"That's actually what people are told. And what does that do? It makes them feel bad about themselves because they ask, 'Well if it's that easy, how come I haven't been able to do it?' It leads to depression and increases obesity by as much as 50%. It's incredible."

"People often don't realize there are over 140 different genes that control and influence weight," Gorfinkel said. "Of course, epigenetic things influence whether or not those genes get expressed, but I think this whole terrible mix starts with people not believing enough in themselves."

Which, again, is largely our collective doing. "Pictures of so-called beautiful people — often unrealistically thin — are constantly shown in the media [and everywhere around us], and the messaging is, 'Eat kale and move', 'What's wrong with you?'"

The doctor believes this is actually the basis of the problem. And it's hard to argue. A survey of 4,250 Good Housekeeping readers discovered that 48% of them disagree or strongly disagree that they are happy with the way their bodies look and feel and 17% said they'd shave years off their lives in exchange for their ideal body.

"It's not diet, it's not exercise, it's do you believe in yourself? Can you love yourself? Everything else comes from that," Gorfinkel said. "If there is enough self-love, then a person is far more likely to sleep better at night and to be motivated to do the things that improve the way they feel, and that includes exercise. That also includes eating a healthy diet."

If the doctor were to give one piece of advice to those of us who want to make healthy and sustainable changes, it would be to focus on your mental health first.

"It is the foundation to achieving the other tentpoles of wellness, like ensuring a good night's sleep or proper diet," she highlighted.