I have had some success in the past by watching my calories like a hawk and severely restricting what I ate, but it was not sustainable and the weight always came right back as soon as my willpower waned. I went through cycles of weight loss and weight gain without any understanding of what was going on underneath the surface of my behaviors. I relied solely on willpower to force myself to eat properly, and when that limited resource would dry up I would mentally throw my hands up in the air and eat whatever was easily available - often snack foods. I'd feel bad afterward - both physically and mentally - and resolve to never do that again, which of course, lasted maybe a few weeks at best before the cycle would repeat. I first heard about MyBodyTutor via the BiggerPockets podcast. I liked what Adam had to say about consistency being the key to success and visited the MyBodyTutor website afterward to learn more. Before starting, I thought I needed to do everything on my own and that seeking help when I was struggling was a sign of weakness. Being consistent is very challenging for me, so I doubted that, even with help, I would really be able to change. But I hoped that I would finally be able to break the cycles of "feast or famine" and be able to eat healthy consistently without it being a constant struggle. I wanted to lose weight, keep it off, and feel like I was in control. MyBodyTutor helped me lose 10 pounds, but more importantly, it gave me an understanding of how to relate to food in a healthier way. Unlike all the other times I've lost weight, this weight loss feels permanent. I feel like I have the tools I was lacking to maintain consistency in my diet, and it isn't even challenging - it feels natural to eat as I do now. MyBodyTutor does not prescribe any of the fad diets most of us have tried or tell you to follow some sort of inflexible dogma about what you can and cannot do or eat. Plus, the self-reflection and mindfulness skills they teach are applicable to many aspects of life beyond diet and exercise. If you struggle with perfectionism like I do, this program will help you to reign in that tendency and allow you to get back up far more easily when you inevitably get knocked down by something. One mistake no longer derails me and I have greater patience and understanding for myself. Small tweaks over time really do make more of a difference in the long term than herculean but very sporadic action. Trust your tutor, be patient, and you will see lasting results.