I see this all the time. You’ve noticed your habits shifting. You’re making better choices, saying no without guilt, finally feeling in tune with your body. But then the scales don’t budge—or worse, they creep up—and suddenly, the spiral begins.
You question everything: “Why bother?” “What’s the point?” “Is this even working?”
This is self-sabotage. And it’s more common than you might think.
In a survey of 4,000 former dieters for The Weight’s Over – Take Back Control, a staggering 85% said self-sabotage was something that they experienced whilst dieting. But here’s the truth: it’s not because you’re weak. It’s not because you lack willpower. It’s because diets train us to believe that if we’re not losing weight, we’re failing. And summer can be the perfect storm for those old beliefs to resurface.
Why Summer Triggers Self-Sabotage
Summer often sounds like freedom—long days, holidays, time with the kids or grandkids, sunny walks, and the smell of BBQs in the air. But for many, it also brings disrupted routines, more social events, changes in eating patterns, and missed workouts. The heat can leave you feeling bloated or uncomfortable in your body, and that discomfort can quietly chip away at your self-esteem. And for those who’ve spent years on the “beach body countdown,” this season can awaken an old, familiar loop of pressure and perfectionism:
January: “New year, new me”
Spring: “Summer’s coming, better get ready”
Summer: “I can’t do this right now, life is too crazy”
September: “Back on track before Christmas”
December: “I’ll start again in January”
And round we go.
But that rollercoaster? It’s not your fault. Diets created it. Diets failed you—not the other way round. So please don’t let a lifetime of dieting steal your peace this summer. They’ve taken enough already. With Slimpod you do not need to repeat old patterns; it is not a diet and it is designed to work with you and fit around your life.
What Is Self-Sabotage?
Self-sabotage is when your actions undermine your own goals—even when those goals really matter to you. It often kicks in just when things are starting to go well. That might sound strange, but there’s science behind it.
There are three key psychological reasons this happens:
- Fear of Change
Even positive change can feel threatening to the subconscious. If you’ve lived for years identifying as someone who struggles with weight, success can feel unfamiliar—and that unfamiliarity can create discomfort. Your brain wants you safe, not necessarily happy. - Unrealistic Expectations
Decades of dieting have conditioned us to expect fast results. So when progress is slow—or invisible on the scales—it can feel like failure. But real transformation isn’t measured in pounds. It’s measured in how you feel, how you behave, and how consistent you can be, even on tough days.
Lack of Coping Mechanisms
If food has always been your comfort, distraction, or reward, removing it without replacing it leaves a gap. And when stress or overwhelm hits—as it often does during summer holidays—that gap becomes unbearable.
How to Flip the Script
Awareness is everything. Once you spot self-sabotage, you can start to turn it around. Here’s how:
1. Notice the Narrative
That moment when you think “I have had enough”—pause. Ask yourself what triggered it. Was it the scales? A missed workout? A single ‘off’ meal? Name it. That’s the first step in taking back control.
2. Reframe the Setback
Instead of seeing a blip as failure, treat it as feedback. What does this moment tell you about your patterns? Your needs? Your beliefs? There’s always something valuable to learn—if you look with curiosity instead of criticism.
3. Focus on the Wins
This is why your success journal matters. Recording even the tiniest positive changes trains your brain to seek out success, not sabotage. It shifts the spotlight from weight to wellness. From punishment to progress.
4. Create New Coping Tools
If summer feels overwhelming, make a list of non-food ways to recharge. A walk in nature. A cool shower. A moment with your favourite music. These small, soothing actions help you meet your needs without defaulting to old habits.
The Takeaway
You’re not starting again this summer. You’re continuing. You’re learning. You’re growing.
And even if the scales don’t show it, the wins are there: You didn’t give up. You paused and reflected. You chose to keep going.
That’s not sabotage. That’s strength.
Let summer be the season you rewrite the story.
