Toss the Fad Diets

Losing weight can be difficult, leading many to turn to the latest fad diet to get quick results. Who is guilty of this?

These diets are hard to ignore with huge promises that can achieved in a short time span (sounds easy right?). How many of you have undertaken one of these diets?  How many of you lose 5 kg initially, but quickly lose momentum and put the weight back on? Don’t worry you aren’t alone. Various sources state that around 95% of people who diet and lose weight have regained all or some of that weight they have lost within two to five years.

Why do diets fail?

There can be many reasons but most notably after depriving yourself of calories, weight is lost and therefore less energy is needed to “run” the smaller body, and less energy is spent to move that body through exercise.  Also, your body adapts and is able to function and survive on less calories meaning to continue to lose weight, an individual must consume even fewer calories. Many are unaware of this metabolic change and become discouraged with a weight loss plateau.

To have long term weight loss it’s important the dietary and exercise habits are able to be sustained for long periods of times. This means the changes need to be realistic, nutritious and appetizing.

To achieve long term weight loss, it’s important we stop calling it a diet. A diet implies it will only be sustained until our goal is reached and to have long term results it needs to be a change for good. This may be seem daunting at first, but it is possible and necessary if you’d like to lead a happier and healthier life.

For many who are overweight this hasn’t occurred overnight or even within one month, it has happened over months or even years. This means to lose weight for the long term it will take time and consistent effort, so don’t get dishearten when you don’t see immediate results.

My recommendations are to eat healthier, complete regular physical activity, have higher quality sleep and you will feel 100% better. These may sound too simple or basic, but they work! Many of us find this hard to stick to because there isn’t a set structure to follow like a fad diet.  But isn’t this better anyway? It gives you the flexibility to create a diet that you love and that is healthy at the same time. However, it can be tricky to navigate at times. If you need guidance and assistance for more individual recommendations, consult an Accredited Practicing Dietitian who can guide and support you through the entire process.