Counseling for Success
Kiomi Mount, LICSW, DCSW
Weight Loss Solutions
At any given moment 80 million adults in America are dieting.
Yet research shows that about 90% of dieters lose weight, then gain it all back plus an average of 10-15 additional pounds.
Why do these diets have such high failure rates?
1. Many diets are extremely low calorie meal plans. A study at the University of Pennsylvania found that dieting increases the activity of an enzyme that promotes the storage of fat. When the body is deprived of food, it reacts as if it is starving, slows the metabolism and increases storage of fat. Each time you diet, the slower your metabolism becomes making it more and more difficult to lose weight.
2. Most diets tell you exactly what to eat, when to eat, and how much to eat. The good news is you don't have to think about what you eat. The bad news is, you don't have to think about what you eat. When the diet ends most people return to eating mindlessly and habitually because no new behaviors were consciously learned.
3. Some programs focus on short term, rapid weight loss. Rapid weight loss can cause gallbladder problems, hair loss, headaches, mood swings, weakness, cardiac disorders and more. This type dieting is harmful to your health.
4. Many diets teach people to ignore cues for hunger. But the cue for satiety and hunger go hand in hand. This detachment of the mind and body leads to detachment from basic human instincts. Dieters lose touch with their bodies, which often leads to unconscious overeating and emotional detachment.
5. Many programs are controlling or limiting, instructing participants not to deviate from their plan. The dieter feels over controlled and deprived, becomes bored or frustrated, and eventually quits feeling like a failure. What they don't realize is that the diet is unnatural and bound to fail. Unfortunately the dieter blames him/herself, rather than the diet.
6. Some programs require weekly attendance to meetings, or weekly scale checks. Some people feel like the diet cop is watching them even though they have some flexibility around meals and choices. This leads to feelings of guilt and shame. Additionally, the participant's motivation comes from the group, so when the group support is gone the motivation to sustain healthy behaviors is also gone.
No wonder so many weight loss programs have high failure rates. After reading this I hope you realize diets have failed you. It's not you who have failed. You have been disciplined and diligent in your efforts to improve your health.
You deserve a program that works, a program that teaches you healthy habits to last a lifetime. A program that promotes emotional and physical health. Feel free to call today to receive a complimentary consultation, (206) 355-5776. Learn more about healthy weight loss today.
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