The biggest problem with people who diet is that their weight bounces back the day they stop dieting, and they come back to their original weight. The phenomenon is similar to the phenomenon known as yo-yo dieting. In layman's terms, yo-yo dieting refers to starting a new diet, losing weight, stopping the diet, and regaining the weight that is lost. However, despite the risk of regaining weight, there are millions of Instagram posts promoting yo-yo dieting. So if you are new to dieting or looking for ways to lose weight, here's a look at what yo-yo dieting is, how it works, and whether you should do it.
What Is Yo-Yo Dieting?
Yo-yo dieting, also known as weight cycling, is the practice of losing and regaining weight repeatedly, causing your weight to fluctuate. It can entice anyone, but it is majorly seen in people with a negative body image and relationship with food. What happens is that they lose weight by going extreme, and then when the cravings hit, they binge eat, resulting in weight gain and other bodily problems.
How Yo-Yo Dieting Works?
Yo-yo dieting, like any other fad diet, is based on the principles of food restriction and crash dieting to achieve unrealistic body fat, followed by a period of overeating. Yo-yo dieters follow an extremely restrictive diet plan in the first phase, which is the weight loss phase, in which they consume very few calories and avoid nutrient-rich foods. The majority of their calories come from lean protein, which includes chicken, fish, eggs, and tofu. The second phase, in which they gain weight, involves eating any food that can help them gain weight, whether it is junk food or healthy food. Dieters may also engage in overeating if weight gain takes time to occur.
Also Read: The Picky Eater's Guide To Losing Weight
Should You Do It?
The majority of people view diet from a physical standpoint; for example, if they are losing weight or their weight on the scale is changing, they believe the diet is working for them and is the best. However, the main goal of diet should be to break your bad habits of eating junk and high-calorie foods and to heal your body from the inside out. Yo-yo dieting for weight loss traps you in a vicious cycle in which you become more frustrated with all the dieting, only to gain all the weight back. Moreover, losing weight quickly and then regaining it all disrupts your metabolism and depletes your body of nutrients, causing your organs to suffer.
So if you are putting in an effort to lose weight, do it in a healthy way so that the weight loss is sustainable and you can heal your body from the inside out.
Also Read: 5 Most Effective Weight Loss Tips To Follow Right Now
Bottom Line
Losing weight with a fad diet may appear appealing, but it is full of risks that can harm your body. So, before embarking on any diet, make sure to get a blood test, check your internal health, and consult your trainer.
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