Does the struggle to lose weight ever end?
Why is there a constant yo-yo effect when dieting? You lose the weight and inevitably you start gaining it all back. MSNBC says one of the biggest mistake dieters make is assuming that once the weight is lost that they have accomplished their goal and all the hard work is over.
Unfortunately for many the struggle to lose weight is never done. A lot of this yo-yo effect is because some choose to lose weight in a way that is not sustainable for a lifetime. Unfortunately many choose to take diet pills to lose weight and are later surprised to see the weight creeping back once they stop taking the pills. For others it may be they choose a restrictive diet that eliminates food groups entirely. Restrictive diets will indeed make you lose weight but for most people, not sustainable for a lifetime. Most people inevitably fall off the wagon and end up re-gaining all the weight they worked so hard to lose.
One quote in the article sums this up pretty well. A doctor who has had many patients yo-yo with their weight loss efforts said, "it seemed like these dieters were willing to put up with almost any restriction, as long as they knew that, at some point, the punishing diet plan would be over. But to maintain your weight loss, you always have to pay attention to what you eat. Yes, always, no matter what you weigh".
If you have struggled long term with your weight (like me) please take all of this into consideration before starting a weight loss plan. The ideal weight loss plan is doing something that you can continue for a lifetime.
If you have reached your goal weight CONGRATULATIONS!!! This MSNBC article offers some good habits that you can incorporate into your life to sustain your weight loss long term.
How long have you been able to sustain your goal weight? How do you do it?
Unfortunately for many the struggle to lose weight is never done. A lot of this yo-yo effect is because some choose to lose weight in a way that is not sustainable for a lifetime. Unfortunately many choose to take diet pills to lose weight and are later surprised to see the weight creeping back once they stop taking the pills. For others it may be they choose a restrictive diet that eliminates food groups entirely. Restrictive diets will indeed make you lose weight but for most people, not sustainable for a lifetime. Most people inevitably fall off the wagon and end up re-gaining all the weight they worked so hard to lose.
One quote in the article sums this up pretty well. A doctor who has had many patients yo-yo with their weight loss efforts said, "it seemed like these dieters were willing to put up with almost any restriction, as long as they knew that, at some point, the punishing diet plan would be over. But to maintain your weight loss, you always have to pay attention to what you eat. Yes, always, no matter what you weigh".
If you have struggled long term with your weight (like me) please take all of this into consideration before starting a weight loss plan. The ideal weight loss plan is doing something that you can continue for a lifetime.
If you have reached your goal weight CONGRATULATIONS!!! This MSNBC article offers some good habits that you can incorporate into your life to sustain your weight loss long term.
How long have you been able to sustain your goal weight? How do you do it?
Tags: diet, weight loss, yo-yo
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Bob Pressley on -
I think people will always look to lose weight for both the right and wrong reasons. If people continue to poor money into weight loss products because they want a quick fix or don't know any better (that will change over time) we will see this trend continue. Over time everyone will begin to understand the truth about exercise, nutrition and the best ways to lose weight over time and keep it off. We can only hope that people will want to learn after their "diets" have failed and find themselves in more of a lifestyle change versus the "x" number of weeks diet!
The next generation should understand these concepts much earlier in life and hopefully live by this knowledge finding themselves in a maintenance mode instead of a yo-yo as much as this generation has...
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Permalink Reply by Brenda on -
I think we have to look at weight loss as a lifelong journey rather than a destination. We never really are "done" with it, no more than we are done being parents or growing as human beings. It's a process, one that is filled with ups and downs, successes and disappointments.
Once I adopted this attitude, I stopped feeling like a failure, like I ought to already "be at my goal." Changing the way I see weight maintenance has taken the pressure to perform off of me, and anything that reduces my stress provides a health benefit.
I remember when I used to attend a weekly weight loss support group. Each week on meeting day I would wake up feeling frazzled. I would go over the entire week's food intake in my mind, berating myself for every slip-up, cussing myself for every calorie taken in. I would eat no food all day long (as though that would make a difference on the scale that evening.) By the time the meeting started I would be filled with anxiety, feel nauseated from hunger and afterward wanted to eat everything in the refrigerator. How could any of that be helpful in terms of weight loss? Obviously it wasn't.
It wasn't until I relaxed and began to focus on lifestyle rather than "diet" that I began to achieve a sense of control of my weight.
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Permalink Reply by Debbie on -
Paula,
A few years ago I went to weight watchers, I lost 25 lbs and kept it off till this winter when I did baking for my entire family for Christmas. I gained back 10 lbs of it and now am working to get that off and more. But I have` to admit the way I eat doesn't really help this goal. I hate breakfast, never was a cereal eater and can't stand eggs. Most days I skip lunch as well so when I eat dinner I am hungry the rest of the night. I know I need to start eating earlier in the day to cut my nighttime eating. Lately we have been running so much and working outside I just never think of myself, I make sure Ezra has his food but I am anxious to get back to cleaning or yard work.
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Permalink Reply by Brenda on
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Debbie, why stick to traditional breakfast foods in the morning? One of my favorite breakfasts is a grilled cheese sandwich. It's portable, contains both carbs and protein and is mighty tasty! By using 12 grain bread I get in a lot of fiber.
Be creative! Eat the same things you would eat for lunch. There are no "rules" about having to eat cereal or eggs for breakfast. You're in charge. Eat healthy foods that taste good to you.
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Permalink Reply by Debbie on
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Honestly I never thought about grilled cheese for breakfast! I do like those so that is an option. Thanks!
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Permalink Reply by Bob Pressley on
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Debbie, Trying to find something you like for breakfast and making sure you have something for lunch is crucial at a minimum. By skipping all those meals your body will try to save all the calories (ie; fat) from your dinner. When you starve your body it begins to "save" you by storing calories and slowing your metabolism. I think you would see a big difference by actually eating these meals instead of skipping them.
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