Yo Yo

It has been a problem for many people that start out with the right intensions and then somewhere down the road fall off track. This is the yo yo dieter. This person starts out really motivated and even gains inspiration from those that have come before him/her. If you are this person or know someone who is working to lose weight make sure you read this until the end. The more fat you lose, the less leptin which is a hormone that tells your body you have enough fat stored up. This is why you end up heavier than when you began. Your body slows down to save energy. So once you quit the diet, you have an oversized appetite but you burn fewer calories. Every episode of weight gain/loss can raise your cortisol which is your stress hormones. High cortisol means you are more likely to add fat around your belly, and raises your risk for diabetes, and heart disease. Binge eating is not a good habit to have because it can lead to over consuming calories which causes the body to store more fat. There have been studies that show large changes in weight means you are more likely to deal with angina, heart attack, and stroke. Being overweight can make you get then gallstones. The more you add and remove weight, your chances for having a gallstone keep going up. Yo-Yo dieting can change the number and types of bacteria hanging out inside you. When you swing from one diet to the other, to your body, this feels like a yo-yo. Food is a necessity and if you do not get all the nutrients It is important to have long term thinking. Why do you diet? You must let go of the idea of a quick fix and think about how you can make changes that are permanent. Make sure you set clear and realistic goals. Your goal has to be attainable. Instead of focusing on losing 30 pounds, aim for 1 pound per week. Start small and add more intensity since this is a great way to be motivated and set yourself up for success. Your body does not want to lose the weight. This means that you need to work really hard at it. Make sure you have great support to help you make it to your goal. Talk to your Dr, dietitian, friends, family, trainer, or find an online community. Plugging in this journey with someone else will help you stay focused and monitor your progress. Reference: Medically Reviewed by Melinda Ratini, What Happens To Your Body When You Yo-Yo Diet, WebMD