Is yo-yo dieting ruining your life? Tired of counting calories and skipping meals? Like it or not, most diets fail. If they worked, you’d already have a lean, healthy body. Just think about the millions of people who are on a diet year round, but still have extra pounds. Statistics show that 95 percent of dieters regain their lost weight within one to five years. About 35 percent develop eating disorders. The only way to shed stubborn fat and keep it off is to make healthy lifestyle choices.
Why Most Diets Fails
With a few exceptions, most diets only work short term. Some are not sustainable in the long run because of the severe caloric restriction. Others eliminate whole food groups, causing muscle loss, nutrient deficiencies, and feelings of deprivation. Every time you go on a diet, you put stress on your body. As a result, your metabolism slows down and your cortisol levels go up. Over time, you’ll find it harder to lose weight despite eating less.
Diet alone is not enough for achieving a healthy weight. The same goes for exercise. Regular training can not offset the harmful effects of bad eating. If you want to drop pounds, you need to eat better, move more, and embrace a healthy lifestyle. A diet that’s too strict will only cause frustration and increase your chances of binging. Too much exercise can decrease your metabolic rate and break down muscle tissue instead of burning fat.
Lifestyle Change Is Key to Weight Loss
Simple lifestyle changes, such as ditching junk food and getting active, will do more for your body than any diet out there. In a study conducted on 5,000 people, those who changed their lifestyle habits lost about 66 pounds and kept the weight off for five years and a half. Their diet was based on whole, nutritious foods, such as fruits, veggies, unprocessed grains, and lean protein. The subjects exercised for about one hour a day.
Once you embrace a healthy lifestyle, everything will improve. A balanced diet combined with regular exercise can lower your cholesterol levels, build lean mass, and reduce your risk of chronic diseases. Weight loss is an added benefit. Take one step at a time and have patience. It took you years to gain those extra pounds, so don’t expect to lose them overnight.
