One of the reason diets fail is because they fail to take into account numerous other factors such as exercise, hydration, nutrient density, management of stress and more. Many of those who do manage to lose weight on a particular diet seldom keep it off. In fact, research indicates that they often ending up gaining it all back and more. This is just one of the reasons to stop dieting now.
To most of us, going on a diet means depriving oneself of certain foods for a period of time. Not many of us manage to sustain this for any length of time. We tend to start cheating after a while and eventually abandon the diet altogether. There are always new diets being promoted and although we know better, we are always hoping this one will really work.
When calories are reduced, the human body responds by slowing down metabolism. This is because it is designed for survival, even under the harshest of conditions. A really drastic diet can trigger off all kinds of symptoms such as headaches, mood swings, irritability and physical and mental fatigue. When the body does not receive what it needs, health is compromised.
Feeling hungry all the time is a sure sign that a diet will not last. When this is the case, the body tries to conserve energy and muscle loss takes place. Foods high in lean protein like eggs, fish and chicken help one to feel full for longer and remain healthy, despite losing weight. Fiber and good fats such as those found in seeds, nuts and some oils have the same effect.
Human beings have a strong emotional attachment to food. We associate it with family gatherings and celebrating. Eating brings comfort when we are afraid, angry or sad. The strong emotions it evokes is often one of the biggest barriers to weight loss. It is difficult to deal with and can trip us up time and time again. When we face an emotional crisis, the diet often goes out of the window.
Social pressures are another factor that affect weight loss. When we are with friends or family, we may feel pressure to indulge. It takes commitment to keep eating healthily despite such pressure. Diets are often abandoned in such social situations.
Constantly feeling deprived and resentful will inevitably result in abandoning a diet or in binge eating. This is why it is important to build in certain controlled indulgences every once in a while. This gives one something to look forward to and helps to prevent the see-sawing of weight up and down. Dark chocolate, for example, makes a nutrient rich treat that does not prevent weight loss.
Weight loss has to be sustainable and a diet is not the answer. Instead, changes have to be made to how we think about food and about ourselves. A healthy, sustainable way of eating results from choosing the right foods because we want to do what is best for our health. We want to be our best mentally, emotionally and physically.
To most of us, going on a diet means depriving oneself of certain foods for a period of time. Not many of us manage to sustain this for any length of time. We tend to start cheating after a while and eventually abandon the diet altogether. There are always new diets being promoted and although we know better, we are always hoping this one will really work.
When calories are reduced, the human body responds by slowing down metabolism. This is because it is designed for survival, even under the harshest of conditions. A really drastic diet can trigger off all kinds of symptoms such as headaches, mood swings, irritability and physical and mental fatigue. When the body does not receive what it needs, health is compromised.
Feeling hungry all the time is a sure sign that a diet will not last. When this is the case, the body tries to conserve energy and muscle loss takes place. Foods high in lean protein like eggs, fish and chicken help one to feel full for longer and remain healthy, despite losing weight. Fiber and good fats such as those found in seeds, nuts and some oils have the same effect.
Human beings have a strong emotional attachment to food. We associate it with family gatherings and celebrating. Eating brings comfort when we are afraid, angry or sad. The strong emotions it evokes is often one of the biggest barriers to weight loss. It is difficult to deal with and can trip us up time and time again. When we face an emotional crisis, the diet often goes out of the window.
Social pressures are another factor that affect weight loss. When we are with friends or family, we may feel pressure to indulge. It takes commitment to keep eating healthily despite such pressure. Diets are often abandoned in such social situations.
Constantly feeling deprived and resentful will inevitably result in abandoning a diet or in binge eating. This is why it is important to build in certain controlled indulgences every once in a while. This gives one something to look forward to and helps to prevent the see-sawing of weight up and down. Dark chocolate, for example, makes a nutrient rich treat that does not prevent weight loss.
Weight loss has to be sustainable and a diet is not the answer. Instead, changes have to be made to how we think about food and about ourselves. A healthy, sustainable way of eating results from choosing the right foods because we want to do what is best for our health. We want to be our best mentally, emotionally and physically.
About the Author:
You can visit www.winthedietwar.com for more helpful information about The Need To Stop Dieting Now.