It’s actually quite common, and researchers claim that a hefty percentage of those who lose weight fail to keep it off long term. Below are some of the most frequent claims (and excuses) made by pro yo-yo dieters.
Claim #1-The first 30 pounds came off so easy, but then my weight loss stopped. I got frustrated that I was no longer losing, so I decided to stop dieting. The program wasn’t working anymore. Before I knew it, those 30 pounds (plus a few more) just reappeared.
Explanation-If you are extremely overweight, your body needs more calories to sustain that weight. Conversely, a smaller person will require fewer calories to stay at their present weight. So, restricting your eating and exercising even a little can yield fast and dramatic results, at least initially. After your size has decreased, however, your body will not burn as many calories. That’s why someone at their ideal size (or slightly above) will find it very difficult to lose five pounds, while an obese individual can do it in, sometimes, a few days.
If weight loss stops, it simply means that the energy you are taking in is now more similar to what you are burning (naturally through your body’s processes, and through your diet and exercise efforts).
Fix-Just because your weight loss has slowed, it doesn’t mean your diet has stopped working. You simply have to find a way to expend more energy, because your smaller size means your body is no longer doing it on its own. This may mean further reducing your calorie intake, or adding some more activity into your daily routine. And remember, you should ideally lose only a pound or two a week, so be patient. Don’t let a weight loss plateau put you on the path to regaining all that weight. Just work a little harder. Find alternatives to yo you dieting at
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Claim #2-I went on the cabbage soup diet…soup for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. After about two weeks, I couldn’t take it any more. I grabbed those cookies and never looked back. Now, I have regained all the weight I lost. All that hard work was for nothing.
Explanation-Anyone following this type of diet will eventually cave. The only surprising thing is that people manage to stick to these crazy plans as long as they do. Any diet that lets you eat only one thing, or restricts food intake to the point of starvation is never a realistic long-term solution to lose weight. They were designed especially for people trying to lose some weight quickly. Nobody can stay on these plans. Furthermore, they may slow down metabolism as the body tries to preserve its fat stores. They can also cause muscle loss, and muscle tissue is key to effective energy burning. So, when you start eating real food, the weight goes back on effortlessly.
Fix-The simple fix for anyone who is forever trying out crazy diets that promise you’ll lose 20 pounds in six days is simply to stop. Find a plan that you can live with for more than two weeks. Be patient, and accept your new lifestyle and the inevitably that true weight loss is a slow process, and you can put an end to your days of yo-yo dieting.
Claim #3-I heard that yo-yo dieting is really unhealthy. I’m better off being 20 pounds overweight than putting myself in real danger.
Explanation-The jury is still out on just how harmful yo-yo dieting actually is. Many studies have found that it is not as unhealthy as once thought. So, while the process might be unhealthy, being obese or overweight is definitely unhealthy. This claim is often just an excuse for those who don’t want to make serious efforts to lose weight.
Fix-If you are seriously concerned about the dangers of yo-yo dieting, stop doing it. Make a commitment, stick to it, and you can avoid the potential risks of weight cycling and the real risks of inactivity and extra pounds. Look
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