We all know at least 1-2 “yo-yo dieters” in our lives--or maybe it's us! It’s that person that's always on a new cleanse, new workout plan, or on that “get skinny quick” wave. Then there are others who have successfully lost the weight but suddenly gain it back a month later. What exactly are they doing wrong?
Here are 4 reasons why you are yo-yo dieting and not really losing weight.
One Size Doesn’t Fit All
Just because your favorite YouTuber lost 50 pounds in 1 month doesn’t mean that you will too. Everyone’s body and metabolism are drastically different. When thinking of a new diet you have to think about if it is truly right for you and makes sense for your body type, lifestyle, and goals.
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You’re Not Sticking To It Long Enough
Everyone is looking for that “get skinny quick” goldmine just like they’re looking for that “get rich quick” scheme. Listen up, it’s not going to happen overnight! Nothing works that fast! Who said it takes only 21 days to form a habit?
In fact, according to a recent study, on average, it takes more than 2 months before a new behavior becomes automatic, that’s 66 days, not 21.
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Just keep at it a little longer my dear.
The Consistency Is Lacking
Okay, so you’ve got the “perfect diet” planned out to the very last crumb in your head but how long will you actually stick to it before you deter?
This is where the “yo-yo” effect comes into play. It’s all in your consistency. If you go off track, guess what? You’ll do it again. This is also known as weight cycling.
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Studies suggest that weight cycling may increase the risk for certain health problems. These include high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and gallbladder disease.
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For adults who are not obese and do not have weight-related health problems, experts recommend maintaining a stable weight to avoid any potential health risks associated with weight cycling.
Obese adults, however, should continue to try to achieve modest weight loss to improve overall health and reduce the risk of developing obesity-related diseases.
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There’s No Such Thing As Magic Pills
Just say no. Yes, it may look and sound very tempting but believe us when we tell you Rome wasn’t built in a day. No magic pill, waist-trainer, or appetite suppressor in the world is strong enough to make you go from a size 18 to a 0. Just work hard, stay patient and consistent, then soon enough you’ll see the results.
If you need to lose weight, you should be ready to commit to lifelong changes in your eating and physical activity. If you are not overweight with weight-related health problems, just try and maintain your current weight without gaining.
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Focus on incorporating healthy eating habits and enjoying regular physical activities like tennis and skating to manage the weight.
Lastly, remember that health is for life… not just a day.
Tia Muhammad, BS, is an award-winning freelance content & media creative, copywriter, blogger, digital designer, and marketing consultant. She owns the boutique content and digital media company, jackieGLDN|studio.
