ntroduction
While it may be too late for those who have already embarked upon their umpteenth diet, anyone contemplating a reduced calorie diet for the first time should take warning. Likewise; those fortunate enough to still be regarded as slim should take note of what lies ahead should they fail to control their weight. The phenomenon responsible for such a devastating effect upon our lives is a combination of the much heralded "starvation mode" and "weight loss plateau." In truth, it should be correctly termed the "rebound effect."
causes of weight gain
For as long as our weight remains in a steady state there is no loss or gain. A balanced weight is the sum total of a number of factors, shifts in any one of which will not only directly affect weight, but by causing changes in the other factors will also create secondary effects. The primary factors in weight control are;
Our response to being overweight
The typical response to our bulging waistline is to batten down the hatches and reduce our calorific intake. All too often we deny ourselves the foods we savour the most. This alone can have a profound psychological effect. Added to this we may skip meals which often results in us more than compensating at the next meal. Unfortunately, the cravings resulting from our self deprivation are only the beginning. The hidden responses, developed over millions of years, are far more devastating
Our bodies' response to dieting
Reduced energy diets will often begin with a sudden weight loss. The very fact that this weight loss slows down should sound the first warning bell. Ultimately all diets begin and end with the brain. Reduced intake initiates signals from the hypothalamus to all energy storing and using cells to increase efficiency, Unfortunately it gets worse, some of the weight lost in low energy diets will invariably be lean mass, or muscle. Skeletal muscle is by far the biggest consumer of calories. Two reasons why the rate of weight loss slows down.
After the diet
Eventually we may reach our desired weight, or simply surrender to the cravings, which is when the problems really begin. In addition to our bodies becoming more efficient we also have less mass to consume the increased energy input, so less food is needed than before. Surplus food is converted to fat before being placed in storage. Finally, in one more quirk of fate; when we diet our fat cells don't disappear, they shrink. However; as our bodies initially struggle to store the higher input, more fat cells are created. Ultimately resulting in a greater fat storing capability.
Summary
You have been presented with the reasons low or reduced calorie diets do not work. Rather than being healthy, they are detrimental to our health. Over millions of years, nature has perfected the ultimate response to overcoming periods of food scarcity. Unfortunately; as the evidence suggests, the problem of excess food energy storage is a new phenomenon to nature, and something she has yet to overcome. As the evidence shows; how many times have you, or people you know, embarked upon a diet only to end up weighing more than ever? Fortunately there is a solution, however; just as there are a number of factors that combine to drive our weight up, to succeed, the solution requires a multifaceted approach.
While it may be too late for those who have already embarked upon their umpteenth diet, anyone contemplating a reduced calorie diet for the first time should take warning. Likewise; those fortunate enough to still be regarded as slim should take note of what lies ahead should they fail to control their weight. The phenomenon responsible for such a devastating effect upon our lives is a combination of the much heralded "starvation mode" and "weight loss plateau." In truth, it should be correctly termed the "rebound effect."
causes of weight gain
For as long as our weight remains in a steady state there is no loss or gain. A balanced weight is the sum total of a number of factors, shifts in any one of which will not only directly affect weight, but by causing changes in the other factors will also create secondary effects. The primary factors in weight control are;
- Diet; altering the amount of calorific intake will result in stored energy (fat) either being used up or added to.
- Behavioral; the amount of physical activity in relation to calorific intake.
- Biological: apart from the aging process there is also the way our bodies respond to the variable amounts and types of food we eat. All of which can profoundly affect our metabolism. and how effective we store energy.
Our response to being overweight
The typical response to our bulging waistline is to batten down the hatches and reduce our calorific intake. All too often we deny ourselves the foods we savour the most. This alone can have a profound psychological effect. Added to this we may skip meals which often results in us more than compensating at the next meal. Unfortunately, the cravings resulting from our self deprivation are only the beginning. The hidden responses, developed over millions of years, are far more devastating
Our bodies' response to dieting
Reduced energy diets will often begin with a sudden weight loss. The very fact that this weight loss slows down should sound the first warning bell. Ultimately all diets begin and end with the brain. Reduced intake initiates signals from the hypothalamus to all energy storing and using cells to increase efficiency, Unfortunately it gets worse, some of the weight lost in low energy diets will invariably be lean mass, or muscle. Skeletal muscle is by far the biggest consumer of calories. Two reasons why the rate of weight loss slows down.
After the diet
Eventually we may reach our desired weight, or simply surrender to the cravings, which is when the problems really begin. In addition to our bodies becoming more efficient we also have less mass to consume the increased energy input, so less food is needed than before. Surplus food is converted to fat before being placed in storage. Finally, in one more quirk of fate; when we diet our fat cells don't disappear, they shrink. However; as our bodies initially struggle to store the higher input, more fat cells are created. Ultimately resulting in a greater fat storing capability.
Summary
You have been presented with the reasons low or reduced calorie diets do not work. Rather than being healthy, they are detrimental to our health. Over millions of years, nature has perfected the ultimate response to overcoming periods of food scarcity. Unfortunately; as the evidence suggests, the problem of excess food energy storage is a new phenomenon to nature, and something she has yet to overcome. As the evidence shows; how many times have you, or people you know, embarked upon a diet only to end up weighing more than ever? Fortunately there is a solution, however; just as there are a number of factors that combine to drive our weight up, to succeed, the solution requires a multifaceted approach.
About the author
D.F.Glover is an English, chemistry and health science teacher. As you may have gathered he is no fan of weight loss diets but prefers to teach a multifaceted approach to a long and healthy life. He is person behind, DavidHealthWorld a web site that offers free membership, health and fitness tips, along with genuine product reviews
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D.F.Glover is an English, chemistry and health science teacher. As you may have gathered he is no fan of weight loss diets but prefers to teach a multifaceted approach to a long and healthy life. He is person behind, DavidHealthWorld a web site that offers free membership, health and fitness tips, along with genuine product reviews