It’s not easy, but I try to look at weight loss as a blunt biological process—one that leaves no room for emotions or moralizing about food. Yes, a lot of dieting is about “forming habits” and “making good choices”, which do require a lot of head games. But at a strictly physiological level, it really doesn’t matter what you ate yesterday, or what you had for breakfast that morning, or how long you’ve maintained a good streak, or how motivated you’re feeling. It’s all about the present moment and what you’re eating (or not eating) in that moment, and there’s not really any room for guilt or bargaining with your future self.