Losing five, 10, or 20 pounds is technically easy. What is difficult is keeping all that lost weight off. This is known as yo-yo dieting or weight cycling.
This type of dieting technique could be immensely frustrating and exhausting. More importantly, numerous studies suggest that going on a diet, losing weight, and then regaining all the lost weight and sometimes more, may also harm your overall health.
Why Is It So Difficult to Keep the Lost Weight Off?
Plenty of individuals usually turn to quick fixes to solve their weight issues. They go on fad diets or starve themselves, and then delight in all the pounds they have lost. However, sooner rather than later, they get back to their old eating habits and feel all the weight returning.
Age is also a huge factor because your metabolic system inevitably slumps as you age. The good news is that you can still prevent weight gain.
For instance, if you are already in your 40s but are still eating the exact same way you did in your 20s, you will have to increase your physical activity and reduce your calorie intake. This is one of the most important advice you will learn when you go to reputable weight loss and nutrition centers, such as the MD Diet in Orem.
How Yo-Yo Dieting Harms Your Overall Health
Regardless of your size and body type, any sudden change in your weight could negatively impact your health. But while yo-yo dieting can shake your metabolic system, obesity is still more harmful. Extra weight could increase your risk of developing diabetes, stroke, heart disease, cancer, and high blood pressure among others.
So, if you are packing on additional pounds, losing even some of it can boost your health. If you are overweight or obese, do not be scared of dieting thinking it that might lead to yo-yo dieting. Instead, focus on keeping off the weight you lost for the long term.
Would Yo-Yo Dieting Make Losing Weight More Difficult in the Future?
Many people are terrified that going on a yo-yo diet will make their metabolism more sluggish and thwart their future attempts at losing weight. This is especially a concern for people who go on starvation diets because while these diets really work to shed off excess pounds, this is all just temporary.
If you revert to your old eating habits after losing weight, your body might respond by storing fat more efficiently and faster at that. In addition, take note that managing your weight could be more difficult as you age due to alterations in body composition and hormonal changes that typically tend to trigger weight gain.
If you are guilty of yo-yo dieting, it is high time that you rethink your whole approach to losing weight. Keep in mind that you will need permanent and sustainable solutions if you are looking to keep excess weight off permanently. This means only consuming the right amount of calories for losing or maintaining your weight and getting ample exercise at least five days a week.
