Yo-yo dieting is the term used to describe the on-off dieting pattern that some people get trapped in eternally. They continue to go on diets for a short spell and lose some weight but then when they stop dieting and return to their normal eating pattern, they put weight back on. Their weight is therefore constantly going up and down, hence the name yo-yo dieting. In many cases when people stop dieting they end up gaining more weight than they had before they started the diet in the first place.
Dieting on a regular basis is not good for you and can have some serious side effects such as osteoporosis (a bone thinning disease). It can also undermine confidence and self esteem especially when the desired results are not achieved.
There is a reason why yo-yo dieting tends to lead to increased weight in the long run. When we start to diet and begin starving our bodies of calories, we can lose weight quite quickly but our bodies are quite complex and clever and adjust to changes very quickly. So when the body is continually denied the calories it needs it makes changes to compensate for the deficiency by slowing down the metabolic rate. This is why the rate of weight loss slows down when we have been on a diet for a few weeks. Then when we return to our normal eating pattern the body is unprepared and the slow metabolism cannot burn off the calories quickly enough.
The good news is that there is a way to get off this never ending merry-go-round. The answer is to forget about dieting altogether and make some small lifestyle changes that will help you to control your weight. You need to put together a healthy eating plan that you will feel comfortable with and are likely to stick to.
One of the key things needed is to ensure your metabolism rate is kept at high speed to help burn calories continually throughout the day. To do this you need to eat six smaller meals a day as opposed to three larger ones. Have the largest meal in the morning (breakfast) to kick start the metabolism and then make the rest of your meals continually smaller. Make sure you never miss a meal as this will cause the metabolism to fluctuate.
Eat as freshly prepared food as possible and be sure to eat foods from all the different food types. Your body needs carbohydrates and protein to function properly so never omit these altogether. Eat plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables along with fresh, lean meat and fish to make up a balanced diet. Go easy on the sugary foods such as cakes and biscuits or those saturated in fat. Even more importantly, banish fast foods from your diet altogether. Try to resist hamburgers, hot dogs etc at all cost.
If you apply these simple lifestyle changes you will be amazed at the results you will achieve in a short space of time but remember this is a marathon not a sprint and even if you lose only one pound in unwanted weight each and every week for the next year, by the end of the year of the year that amounts to nearly four stones.
NO MORE EXCUSES – take action today and learn how to lose weight and keep it off successfully without the latest gimmick or fad diet. For a free report on how to lose weight safely, visit Sally’s website at http://www.thesafewaytoloseweight.com Whether it’s your first attempt at weight-loss or whether you’ve tried and failed many times before, you can’t afford to miss out on this free information.
Article Source: Why yo-yo dieting increases your weight
