No More Yo-Yo Dieting!

Posted by Dr. Doucette on March 20, 2007 under Fitness, Weight Loss | 3 Comments to Read

Do I need to lose weight, and if so, how much weight should I lose?  Why is it so difficult to lose those last 10 pounds?  Why do I constantly lose weight and gain it right back?

Do any of these questions sound familiar?  If so, you are not alone.  Our society is in a "weight-loss" crisis.  Each year, more than half of us will go on some type of diet to lose weight, with many of our attempts resulting in only a short-term weight loss – often gaining back more pounds than lost!  This is what we call "yo-yo" dieting or "weight-cycling."  If one diet does not work than we go on to try the next, and the next, and the next diet, each promising to be THE answer to our dieting dilemma

Not only is weight-cycling bad for your physical health, but it can also lead to inappropriate eating behaviors.  We start to obsess with what we are eating.  Foods become the enemy, and we start classifying them as "good" or "bad" foods.

All of this is not to diminish the fact that being overweight can be a health risk.  Being overweight increases your risk of developing heart disease, diabetes, hypertension, and some cancers.  If you are seriously overweight, even a modest 5-10% reduction in weight can help reduce high blood pressure, blood glucose, and/or cholesterol levels.   
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