Why Do Diets Fail?
Most diets are flawed and doomed to fail before they're even started.
"Dieting is not effective in controlling weight, you can get a temporary weight loss with a diet, but each scheme ultimately gives way to weight gain and subsequent losses become increasingly difficult. Worst of all you get progressively fatter on less food. Dieting actually makes you fatter."... Dr. Lawrence E. Lamb author of The Weighting Game; The Truth About Weight Control.
A diet is any temporary change in your eating behavior to try to lose weight. However when you say you're going ON a diet you're implying that at some point you're going OFF it.
- The word diet comes from Latin word diaeta meaning "Way of Life"
And, isn't it true we want what we can't have?
By definition a diet is the temporary and unsustainable restriction of food or calories. Yes, cutting calories at first will cause weight loss at least for a little while.
However two major problems occur with this approach.
- Restrictive low-calorie diets are almost impossible to follow for long, weight loss never lasts. Most people when they hit the plateau after the initial calorie reduction, they try to restrict the calories even more, nearly starving themselves.
- Then turning to all the Fad Diets for the instant, quick gratification, only to gain it back in the end.
According to National Institute of Health there are more than 133 million people in the US that are over weight.
- 64% of the adult population is overweight!
1 in 8 people in 1991 to... nearly 1 in 5 people in 1999
- Today, 1 in 3 adults are clinically obese. Which increases the risk for over 30 other health related issues.
- 95% of dieters not only gain the weight back but they end up gaining more than what they started with.
- Only 5% of dieters are successful... Yeah,Only 5%! 5%... that's some pretty discouraging odds at succeeding
The Secret Dieters Will Never Know About Dieting is your body has a defense mechanism to protect you from starvation.
- Your body is designed to store as much fat as possible so you don't die.
- Your body is literally working against you if you're trying to lose weight.
Our ancient ancestors had to forage for food, grow it or kill it, which required a lot of physical activity, something modern humans don't get. Ancient ancestors may not have even known when their next meal was coming. They may have eaten substantial meals only after successful hunts. Scientists theorize that adaptive mechanisms, known as "Starvation Response" developed to ensure survival of the species.
Well it's great for times of famine, but how about Now...
- Your body can't tell the difference between Dieting and Starvation.
- Your body can easily and efficiently store energy as FAT when food is plentiful, this acts as "insurance" against future shortages.
- Your body cut offs energy expenditure and increases food seeking behaviors when your body's fat stores are running low and food is scarce.
- During long periods of starvation, your body slowly feeds off itself for energy, burning through fat stores, then muscle and eventually vital organs.
- If you continued to burn calories at your normal rate, while your food intake fell far below normal, you would quickly exhaust your reserves of stored energy and die soon.
Like I said great for our ancestors during times of famine.
But, Today this life preserving mechanism works AGAINST YOU!
Here's how...
When your body senses calorie deprivation your survival response kicks in even though a Diet is NOT a life or death situation. Your body and subconscious mind says, "it looks like this all the food you're getting for a while, so you better stop burning so many calories, start conserving your energy and increase the drive for finding food."
Your body can't tell the difference between Diet or Famine. Either way if the calorie shortage is severe and prolonged, there are consequences and they are hard wired into Your Genes, set deep in your subconscious mind.
4 Things To Avoid- Simple Strategies You Can Begin Immediately
- Avoid Skipping And Sugary Breakfasts ~ Breakfast is your foundation for success. Your metabolism slows while you sleep and doesn't rev back up until you eat again. High Sugar leaves you hungry and craving food quickly. Strategy: Studies show a high protein breakfast keeps you full longer.example: A protein shake makes a filling, fat-burning breakfast, takes minutes to prepare but steadies your appetite for hours
- Sleep Deprivation ~ It upsets hormone balance, triggering both a decrease in the hormone Leptin (helps you feel full) and increase of the hormone Ghrelin (triggers hunger). And increases your risk of insulin resistance. Strategy: Start by getting a consistent 7-9 hours of quality, uninterrupted sleep. Prepare for sleep about an hour before shut-eye, turn off electronics, take a hot bath, read, and maybe if you need, consider some melatonin supplements.
- Ignoring Stress ~ Constant stress has become the normal at the expense of our mental and physical health. Chronic Stress also raises cortisol, a stress hormone that stores fat, and breaks down muscle when it remains elevated. Strategy: Maybe you can't fully eliminate stress, however, you can become resilient to its impact. Prioritize stress management by taking some time to nurture yourself. Whether it be yoga, meditation, deep breathing, taking a long walk. Maybe consider some herbal supplements that have adaptogens to help the body's reaction and recovery to stress.
- Dehydration ~ Not enough water can result in energy drop mid afternoon and can feel like hunger. Strategy: Before reaching for a snack, start with 8 oz. water or more first. Which will boost blood flow and make you feel full. Increase your water a day to 8/8oz glasses is recommended.
Christine G. Pierce has been educating and coaching others for 3 years in health, wellness, and nutrition. Christine promotes a healthy, well-balanced life style using simple steps with natural, alternative, and preventative approaches. Christine reveals the secrets about the diet and weight loss industry.