In American culture, weight and dieting are pretty much an obsession. People are constantly going on and off diets of all different kinds. Few people find success, but most will have setbacks. The truth is, the way we approach dieting is setting us up for failure. Here’s why:
Diets deprive you of proper nutrients.
Most diets are very restrictive as far as calories and anything that involves saturated fat, so much so that they require you to eat less or sometimes even none of certain foods that contain vitamins and nutrients that is essential to our daily nutrition. Although weight loss may be possible with such a restive diet, it can also be harmful in other ways.
When you stop the diet, the weight comes back.
Sure, you may be able to go on a diet a lose the weight you wanted, but once you have hit your goal weight, then you are left with two options: You either have to stay on that diet indefinitely in order to maintain that weight, or if you go back to your old ways of eating, the weight will come back. Most people eventually go right back to their old eating habits and starting weight point.
Weight is genetically predisposed.
Numerous studies has shown that weight is primarily genetic and secondarily environmental. In other words, not everyone is going to respond to a diet in the same way. It is harder for some people to lose weight than for others, even if they are on the exact same diet.
On a diet, you won’t feel full.
People are so used to that full feeling in their stomachs after they eat. When you go on a diet, you will not likely get to that point if you are restricting portions. You will not feel like you have ate enough and that urge to eat more will become an annoying constant deterrent.
Calorie counting becomes an obsession.
Many misinformed people think that cutting down on calories and carbs as much as possible is the key to weight loss. While it plays a role, there is much more to it than that. Counting and restricting calories is an easy way to become obsessed with consumption and weight loss, which could lead to disordered eating.
The healthy BMI myth.
The diet industry tells us that we should strive to get into that healthy BMI range. The truth is, your BMI doesn’t measure your health. Sure, they can say that being below or above a certain BMI number can increase your risks for health problems, but just because one might be in a healthy range doesn’t mean they are actually healthy. Healthy people come is various shapes, sizes, and BMI numbers.
Behavior changes are very hard.
Food restriction and eating behaviors are very hard to change and maintain once changed. Many people fall back into their familiar habits that they are more content with, which often comes with a higher number on the scale. It takes a lot of commitment and mental willpower in order to stick with changes that we don’t find pleasurable.
Always remember that healthy eating is more important than being a certain weight.
