Earlier I argued for taking a maintenance break — or several — during periods where you’re plateauing or just generally frustrated with The Evil Diet. Today I try to argue the cons — although not very well, I admit. My cons mostly seem limp and I can’t help but poke them to see if they’re alive. There’s also fewer of them. But you already know I’m pretty wishy-washy on dieting, so what did you expect? I encourage you to add more pros in comments!

Diet Interrupted: The Cons

1. It takes a tremendous amount of focus and resolve to get to a place where you’re regularly restricting yourself: stopping at a small portion of your favorite lasagna, saying no to scrumptious desserts or that second Cosmo, accepting regular low-level hunger. So once you’re there, stay there, because getting back “into it” isn’t easy. This is, I think, the strongest argument to stay on the straight and narrow until you hit goal.

2. “I can’t switch to maintenance! I have to lose x pounds/wear size x/fit into that dress by x date!” I wouldn’t say this is a very healthy reason, but I bet it comes up. Sometimes we try to whip our bodies in shape for a specific event or moment. (Though “whip our bodies” says it all, doesn’t it?)

3. “I hate myself fat and won’t be happy until I’m not! So why would I stop halfway there?” As I’ve said before, I think you’re more likely to stay fit and healthy — and especially happy — if you’ve learned to love yourself at every size. So slow down and discover your beauty, whatever the scale tells you.