The Ins and Outs of Yo Yo Dieting

If weight loss is one of your concerns, then chances are you have heard of yo yo dieting. Yo yo dieting occurs when you lose a significant amount of weight but eventually gain it back. It is also called "weight cycling" because of its cycle or repetitive pattern of weight loss and weight gain. Read on to learn more about the ins and outs of yo yo dieting.

Causes Behind Yo Yo Dieting

If you want to avoid the common problem of yo yo dieting, it's important that you know first what causes it. The yo yo effect is usually caused by weight loss plans that involve missing meals, fasting and crash diets that drastically lower your daily caloric intake. When you deprive your body of the calories it needs for energy, it adapts to the change by slowing down your metabolism. Metabolism is the process where your body burns the food you eat in order to produce energy. Your metabolism may not get back to normal even when you resume your normal lifestyle. A slower metabolism means more weight gain. In some cases, not only will you gain back the weight you lose during the diet, but you may even gain more than before.

Yo Yo Dieting and Muscle Loss

Muscle loss is another effect that is associated with yo yo dieting. When your daily caloric intake becomes extremely low, your body tends to digest your muscle cells. Less muscle mass also contributes to slower metabolism. Instead of the slim and toned figure that you're aiming for, you end up with a thinner but flabbier body.

The Effects of Yo Yo Dieting

If you've encountered yo yo dieting before then you're probably familiar with its effects. It's true that most crash diets and other rapid weight loss solutions can succeed in helping you shed pounds in a short time. However, it's important to know that this weight loss is generally due to the loss of water weight and muscle mass. Aside from the fact that the weight loss is merely temporary, yo yo dieting has other negative effects. For instance, your failure to lose weight permanently may eventually impact your emotional health. This results in depression, stress and eating disorders.

Fluctuating weight can also result in a higher risk of developing cancer and heart disease. You might also suffer from losing hair and developing osteoporosis, among other health conditions. This is due to the fact that most crash diets are lacking in nutrients that are essential for healthy hair, bones and good health in general. Because of the low caloric intake, fatigue and difficulty in concentrating might also result from yo yo dieting.

Preventing Yo Yo Dieting

If you don't want to be among the many victims of yo yo dieting, then one of the things you need to do is give your metabolism a boost instead of slowing it down. You can achieve this by increasing your amount of physical activities. You should also look for ways to lose weight gradually and safely, because this produces a more effective and longer-lasting weight loss.

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