Is it going to lean towards, low carb and high fat, or low fat Mediterranean, or Paleo?

So many choices, right? Hey, we’ve all been there, and it mostly goes something like this: “Time to slim down” followed by “Gotta cut back” followed by bingeing takeout’s on the couch! But what does this mean for your health?

Successful weight loss is a slippery slope for most of us and if you’re planning to lose a few kg’s FAST before a special event, here’s what could happen to your body:

Yo-yo diets could wreck your metabolism and make you feel hungrier. Our bodies suspect a famine scenario, increases the appetite hormone ghrelin, and sends hunger signals to the brain.

This means that the majority of dieters – in fact 1 in 3 - gain the weight (and often even a little more!) back. This obviously leads to emotional highs and lows; first feeling great about yourself, and then, feeling like a failure.

Every time you gain weight back after weight loss, there are subtle changes happening in your body and researchers believe that over time, those changes could cause serious health risks. These include an increase in body fat percentage, which increases your risk for heart disease. Studies show the more your weight fluctuates, the more likely it becomes that you could have a heart attack or stroke. The bigger the swings, the bigger the risk. In a few studies, yo-yo dieting also increased the risk of diabetes, gallstones, and gut dysfunction.

If you’re stuck in a yo-yo pattern, something isn’t working. Even the most disciplined person can’t maintain deprivation. So, ditch the idea of a quick fix and think about how to make changes that can work for you.

Cut back, instead of nixing certain things completely. True, small gradual changes might not yield fast results, but you might just end up losing more weight in the long run since you’re creating a lifestyle that’s actually easy to stick to.

The key to successful weight loss is to adopt a healthy lifestyle that suits your individual needs and that you can maintain for life. So, make sure that your eating plan is flexible. A healthy diet includes a variety of foods from all the major food groups – and even the occasional indulgence.

There should be balance: A weight-loss plan should include proper amounts of nutrients and calories for your individual needs. Diets that direct you to eat large quantities of certain foods may result in nutritional problems.

Also, a diet should include foods that you like. Remember, if it is overly restrictive or boring, you’re probably not going to stick to it and, off course, don’t forget about physical activity. Exercise is the most important factor in maintaining weight loss.

Don’t be fooled by fad diets trying to sway you to follow a new trend. The focus should be fuelling and nourishing your body to optimum health instead of depriving it.

As you aim to become a healthier, happier, and fitter person, weight loss should follow naturally.

Source: muscleandfitness.com, health.harvard.edu, mayoclinic.com, webmd.com, cbsnews.com, authoritynutrition.com, summertomato.com, huffingtonpost.co.uk, nutritionraw.com, womanshealthmag.com, healthline.com, goodhousekeeping.com, elle.com, thedailybeast.com  

DISCLAIMER: The information on this website is for educational purposes only, and is not intended as medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. If you are experiencing symptoms or need health advice, please consult a healthcare professional.