As I shared in Part I of this series, not only must the dose and types of food be managed to moderation, but also change itself must be wisely and individually dosed. The statistics of weight regained after weight-loss, regardless of the diet administered, is both clear and alarming. Research shows that after one year of following any weight loss (WL) diet, the outcome is insignificant, and the weight regained is consistent. Now we have clear data showing the percentage of individuals who have lost weight and the period it took them to regain that weight or more. Starting at 68% at year one to an alarming 96% at the 5-year mark.
This consistent trend helps to show how nutrition is immensely psychologically based. Every holiday and every celebration is based in one way or another around food. When we travel, we not only yearn to discover culture and history, but we also find these within each food item that we experience. It is clear that although many media and gurus who claim their diets are the best, there is a gap missing here and this problem is hurting many of us. I believe this problem to be due to the following reasons:
First, the fact that it is easy to lose the first 10-15 lbs., often referred to as water-weight lost, is what many diets and fads feed on and use to claim their effectiveness. This often occurs due to cutting/changing a certain type of food or category of food (carbs, fats, protein); yet our bodies catch up soon enough
Second, most individuals do not remain on such diets and return to their regular lifestyle and eating habits. We default to such diets when in need of a bandage solution be it to lose weight for a vacation or to fit into a dress/suit before a wedding.
Third, yo-yo dieting. Although research is unclear about the process by which this occurs, it is evident that the more you diet to lose weight and then stop, the more likely for you to face a point at which the cost of losing weight is too much. In other words, regardless of how little you eat and how much you exercise, given you maintain a good state of wellbeing, WL is not happening. Thus, many people resort to the only option left, surgery. Fortunately, there are better ways, but they require effort, time and patience.
These reasons above lead me to my main question, why is it that we always resort to cutting certain foods out? Although these foods are often the ones that are labeled “bad for you”, much of the time they tend to be comfort food which happen to be fatty, salty and sweet. This tirade of “magical evil” has been discovered by food companies and has led to the creation of certain products formed specifically to hit your so called “bliss point”. This is the point at which your brain is satisfied, and you feel a rush of dopamine that makes you “feel” happy.
But you say, I have tried to stop eating all this “not good for you” food and I don’t seem to be able to maintain it because {insert a million reasons here}. Individuals then perceive this as due to their weak will-power and put themselves down for not being as strong as all those athletes, actors, and gurus. But what if the problem is not because of your willpower but rather because you’ve skipped a life lesson that change must be dosed individually and timed accordingly, step-by-step. You never expected your child to leave the womb running!
To sum up, unless you can maintain a diet for two years, then do not start it. Cutting-it-out is the easiest decision, but it is the hardest to keep and will drain your will-power. Say no to cutting and yes to gradual decrease. Remember to know thyself and take everything in moderation. It is never too late; I have worked with people in their 70’s and they have made unbelievable changes to both their bodies and habits gradually. No fads, no lies, no shame.
In the next article, Part III, Creating Balance, I will provide you with specific guidelines to guide you in this process of gradual and empowering nutritional balance.