Have you been dieting all your life? Have you gained and lost weight over and over again? If so, you are a yo-yo dieter. Yo-yo dieting or "cycling" is defined as a significant increase or decrease of body weight (generally 10 pounds or more) that occurs multiples times. We've all seen it go on 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 not good. There are some estimates that more than 80 percent of people who have lost weight regain all of it, or more, after two years. Women who want to lose weight know these painful numbers all too well.
Dieting is an emotional rollercoaster. We are so happy and proud of ourselves when we lose weight, only to beat ourselves up after we gain it back later. Usually, the weight is gained back because of life experiences such as going back to school or a divorce, or even raising a family. It happens. Life seems to get in the way sometimes.
Along with the emotional toll is a physical one. Not only is the extra weight a health risk, but recent studies have connected the gain-lose-gain cycle to such potentially life-threatening situations such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, depression, heart disease, and cancer.
Researchers have found that yo-yo dieting generally happens because people tend to go on really strict diets. A study reported in the journal Obesity found that people who followed a very low-calorie diet regained significantly more weight than those on a more forgiving plan. You may lose weight on a 1200 calorie a day diet, but the minute you go to a 1300 calorie diet, you start gaining weight.
When you go on really strict diets and gain the weight back quickly, you might actually lose muscle and gain fat. Then that is when your metabolism starts operating slower and might make it harder for you to lose weight in the future.
The most dangerous thing about yo-yo dieting is the effect is has on the immune system. According to the first study of the long-term effects 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 extremely important in fighting the early stages of cancer.
So, when you start a diet, make sure your diet is one that you can live with. Don't think of it as a temporary situation, think of it as your new way of life. Be patient on your diet and don't try to lose weight too fast. Also, it is important to have a good support system. Socialize with people who have successfully lost weight. But remember to be flexible - if you have a bad day and ate something you know you shouldn't have, it's okay to start again the next day. But don't forget to forgive yourself. No one is perfect.
Supplements can be a big help in the fight to lose weight and maintain your weight loss. One really great thermogenic supplement is Thermo-Success. Thermo-Success is designed to burn fat, boost your metabolism, increase your energy, and it is an herbal supplement. It is a really good tool in the battle of the bulge.
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