Why You Failed at Dieting

Did you know that according to the CDC, almost 50% of adults have tried to lose weight in the last 12 months? That’s right. However, many find their attempts at weight loss unsuccessful or unsustainable. Additionally, more women have tried to lose weight than men. To achieve this desired weight loss, many turn to going on a diet.

Reasons for Dieting:

The main reasons people go on diets are:

1. For weight loss
2. To lower cholesterol
3. To control diabetes and lower blood sugars
4. To lower your blood pressure.

These are the main reasons people go on diets. However, studies show that the results of diets tend not to last. Results from diets have been shown to only last one year. That’s except for those that followed a Mediterranean diet. Those who followed this diet were found to have lower LDL/bad cholesterol levels even after a year.

Reasons Why Dieting May Have Failed for You

1. Crash dieting is not realistic: In crash dieting, the meals tend to be boring, tasteless, or lack nutritional value. So, these diets are usually not sustainable and difficult to follow for a long time. Furthermore, these diets tend to become a cycle. When one diet fails, people just go on to the next one without seeing any long-term results.
2. The diet was based on deprivation: Deprivation diets do not let you eat any of the things you like to. These diets are how the terms “cheat days” or “cheat meals” came about. These diets are unhealthy because they are very restrictive, and you may not get all your necessary dietary supplements. Your body has certain energy requirements for essential functions like keeping your heart pumping, keeping your lungs inflated, allowing your kidneys to filter blood, and keeping your neurons firing in the brain.
3. The food was not appetizing: If the diet is made of foods that are not tasty or that you don’t want to eat, it is easier for you to not stick to it. You should prepare meals you can be excited about.

4. You didn’t follow the “diet” close enough: You shouldn’t freestyle the diet, especially in the beginning. Instead, you should follow the diet closely until you get the hang of it and start to see results.

5. Not getting enough sleep: Getting enough sleep is another reason that dieting may have failed for you: Sleep is important for weight loss. Without it, levels of stress hormones in the body become high. This makes it hard to lose weight and easier to gain weight.

6. Not being physically active enough during the day: Get moving. Movement is an important part of weight loss. Even in little ways.

7. Long-term dieting causes a slowdown of metabolism.

8. There is psychological and emotional damage caused by a person’s weight being up and down.

How to Beat “Diet Culture”

1. Talk to your doctor, nutritionist, or health coach. These health care professionals can help you set realistic goals and educate you about the right foods you should be eating to meet your goals.
2. Do your research. Most diets tend to fail; however, research has found that some diets, like the Mediterranean diet, are very effective.
3. Take advice from health professionals and formulate a plan. Once you’ve shared your goals and research and listened to their advice, you can make a plan that makes sense for your life.
4. Set goals. You can then set goals and challenge yourself to meet your goals.
5. Get an accountability partner. This is someone that will keep you on track throughout your wellness journey.
6. Stick to the plan. As you continue your wellness journey you may be tempted to stray off your plan, however, you should stick to your plan to see consistent results.

In conclusion, these are the reasons you may have failed at dieting. Most diets aren’t sustainable, which is why many health experts recommend lifestyle changes. If one commits to a diet that is healthy, unrestrictive, and tasty like the Mediterranean diet for a long time, they are more likely to see long-term and consistent results.