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Weight cycling or yo-yo dieting, as some call it is repeatedly losing
weight then putting that weight back on and some experts believe that
it can harm the body more than being overweight.
The cycling can range from anything from 5 or 10lbs to 50lbs or more in
any one given period of time, while some experts believe that it can harm
the body there are however no scientific studies to show that it actually
does.
If you are overweight or obese then the best course of action is to find
a diet plan that you are able to stick to and aim to lose weight and keep
it off although fear of weight cycling shouldn't stop you from attempting
to lose weight.
If people weight cycle, do they end up fatter?
There has been no evidence that people who lose weight and then put it
back on end up fatter than when they started dieting, weight cycling does
not appear to increase the amount of fat tissue.
When studies were conducted into weight cycling researchers found that
after a cycle people had the same amount of fat and lean tissue as they
did before the weight loss.
It was thought that people who had a tendency to collect fat around their
middle or stomach instead of the hips and buttocks were more likely to
suffer health problems related to obesity but there was no suggestion
that weight cycling caused these people to put on more weight than before.
If the studies weren't conclusive, then what harm can weight cycling do?
Although studies into the negative aspects of weight cycling have not
been proven, some experts still believe that weight cycling is harmful
in that it can increase the risk of certain diseases such as high blood
pressure, gallbladder disease and cause problems with high cholesterol.
Perhaps the biggest downfall to weight cycling on a continual basis is
the psychological one, the person who continually loses weight only to
put it back on can get very depressed and begin to feel like a complete
failure.
Usually when this happens, they will turn to eating as a way to comfort
themselves and many can then end up putting on more weight which in turn
depresses them further and so they continue in a never-ending cycle.
Avoiding weight cycling
Consulting the advice of your Doctor and a dietician is essential if you
are obese, they will be able to devise a long-term plan which is suited
to you and therefore your chances of sticking with the plan will be greater.
The most important thing is not to fall into the trap of feeling like
a failure, if you do lose weight and gain it back simply get back into
your plan and discuss the weight cycling with your dietician.
Avoiding circumstances and breaking patterns that you have had for many
years will also help you to stick with your diet and having plenty of
healthy foods which you can nibble on should you be tempted is helpful.
Try to keep a bowl of fresh fruit or pre prepared vegetables handy for
nibbling on, although they do contain calories they contain far less than
cookies and cakes.
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