Yo-Yo Dieting Can Ultimately Make You Fatter and More Depressed

   Have you ever wondered why it seems to be harder to lose weight each time you gain it back? It is a question that many people ask themselves, but why do so many people have this perception? "Because no matter how you drop pounds -- whether it's through dieting, exercise, or a combination of both -- you will inevitably lose some muscle, and that slows down your basal metabolic rate," says Jackie Newgent, R.D., a New York City based nutrition consultant. Strength training with weights throughout your weight loss period can help preserve a lot but not necessarily all of it. "Then, when you regain the weight, you'll most likely put on more fat than muscle, which reduces your percentage of lean body mass, leaving you with a slower metabolism than you had prior to the weight loss."


  Similarly, a study conducted by researchers including Joseph Proietto, professor of medicine at the University of Melbourne, evaluated 50 obese adults and helped them through eight weeks of an extreme 500 - 550 calories per day ( normal calorie intake for a women is 2,000, while a man is 2,500 per day). By the end of the trial, the test subjects had lost an average of 30 pounds. The researchers then supported the dieters for a further year to help them to stick to their new dietary habits. However, during this time, the dieters regained an average of 11 pounds. They also said that they felt much hungrier and had more obsessive thoughts about food then before they started dieting.

The study concluded that the subjects' level of an appetite -stimulating hormone, were about 20 per cent higher after they started the study, meanwhile, the appetite suppressing hormones which the body produces naturally were considerably lower than normal. Speaking about the results obtained from the study, Proietto describes the effect as "a co-ordinated defence mechanism with multiple components all directed toward making us put on weight", so in essence the patients bodies had launched a 'fight' against dieting. This supports the belief held by many biologists who believe that the human body has been designed to survive long periods of starvation.

According to a study published in the Archives of Internal Medicine, yo-yo dieting can have a negative emotional and psychological impact and can lead to conditions such as depression and guilt. This is primarily because of feelings of failure which tend to arise when the person stops dieting and ultimately puts the weight back on again. If this process is continued over and over again, the person could end up believing that they truly are a failure which not only impacts on their weight loss but could affect other areas of their life also. Yo-yo dieting can also affect your social relationships as many dieters feel under pressure to avoid social situations which may lead to them breaking from their diet. Also, many people have expressed embarrassment about admitting to others that they are indeed back on a diet.

Ultimately, we should be looking at ways to remain at a normal weight all of the time instead of yo-yo dieting when our weight becomes out of control. It is more a case of 'everything in moderation' as opposed to taking drastic action when our weight gets out of hand.

NEED TO LOSE WEIGHT? Click here now for your free reports, recipes, videos and bonus materials!! http://www.flatbellynow.org

Nadine 'Diet Coach' Douglas lost over 25 pounds after being overweight most of her adult life. She now runs a successful weight loss website which gives information about great resources which can help you lose weight and be healthy for long term success.


 

at
Labels: