Have you been a Yo-Yoer?

By Jaymee Guntly


Have you ever been dieting all your life? Have you perhaps gained and lost any weight over and over? In that case, you are a yo-yo dieter. Yo-yo dieting or \"cycling\" is defined as a big increase or decrease of body weight (generally 10 pounds or even more) occurring multiples times. We've all seen it appear with celebrities. Kirstie Alley has gained and lost multiple times; Oprah has done it; Maureen \"Marcia Brady\" McCormick got even heavier after she was on "Celebrity Fit Club." It is an epidemic.

The statistics are definitely not good. There are many estimates that more than 80 % of people who have dropped pounds regain every bit of it, or even more, after couple of years. Women who wish to drop pounds know these painful numbers all too well.

Dieting is undoubtedly an emotional rollercoaster. We are so happy and very pleased with ourselves after we reduce weight, simply to beat ourselves up when we gain it back later. Usually, the excess weight is gained back because of life experiences which can include returning to school or a divorce, or perhaps raising kids. It happens. Life seems to get in the way sometimes.

In addition to emotional toll is basically a physical one. Just not only is the unwanted pounds a health risk, but recent studies have connected the gain-lose-gain cycle to such potentially life-threatening situations such as hypertension, high cholesterol, diabetes, depression, heart disease, and cancer.

Researchers have found that yo-yo dieting generally occurs because people usually tend to use really strict diets. Studies reported in the journal Obesity discovered that individuals who followed an incredibly low-calorie diet regained significantly more weight than those on a more forgiving plan. Chances are you will shed pounds on any 1200 calorie a day diet, yet the minute you go to a 1300 calorie diet, you begin increasing body weight.

Once you go on really strict diets and gain the excess body fat back quickly, you could possibly actually lose muscle and gain fat. Then that is when your metabolism starts operating slower and might help it become harder for you to shed pounds in the future.

Possibly the most dangerous thing about yo-yo dieting happens to be the effect is has on the body's defense system. According to the first analysis of the long-term outcome of yo-yo dieting, women who repeatedly lost and gained weight had lower immunities, particularly lower counts of \"natural killer cells.\" These cells are what fight off infections and are also mighty important in fighting the early stages of cancer.

So, when you begin a diet, make certain that your weight loss ambitions is one that you may accept. Don't of it as a temporary situation, think of it as your new eating behavior. Be patient on your dieting and don't make an attempt to drop a few pounds too soon. Also, it is recommended have got a good support. Socialize with individuals that have successfully lost weight. But remember to be flexible - if you have a bad day and ate something you know you ought not have, it's okay to start again the next day. But don't forget to forgive yourself. No one is a great one.




About the Author:



No comments:

Post a Comment