Stop Dieting: Here's Why

Losing weight seems to be a short-term phenomenon for most dieters, a fact underscored by a recent article in American Psychologist. The authors reviewed 31 diet studies that contained at least a year of follow-up data and found that, on average, 41 percent of participants gained back more weight than they had lost. The authors also suspect some dieters may have been too embarrassed to accurately report the exact weight gained. This review drives home some basic truths about weight gain and loss:

First, both involve the complex interaction of numerous physical, social, and emotional factors, which make it difficult for people to change their eating habits and lifestyle.

And second, at some point all dieters reach a plateau–they stop losing weight through dieting alone–and tend to get discouraged and backslide. Worse, the authors found that dieting actually served as a predictor of weight gain. The study concluded that most dieters would have been better off not dieting; they probably would have stayed at the same weight.

So what’s a girl to do? Lead author, Traci Mann, PhD, suggests that eating in moderation is a must and that getting regular exercise may be the key to sustained weight loss.

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Read more: Diet & Nutrition, Eating for Health, Health

By James Keough, Natural Solutions

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

Sheri S.

6:06PM PDT on Apr 1, 2012

It is good to know it's not all in my head just in my stomach.

send a green star

ii q.

8:41AM PDT on Apr 1, 2012

Victor M.

8:24PM PST on Dec 5, 2011

not dieting without medical advice

KS G.

2:09AM PDT on Oct 30, 2011

Thanks for the article.

Ida J.

3:44AM PDT on Sep 25, 2011

thanks

Tim C.

1:48PM PDT on Sep 21, 2011

Michele W.

1:21PM PDT on Sep 21, 2011

Thank you

Robert O.

12:29AM PDT on Sep 21, 2011

Thanks.

12:21AM PDT on Sep 21, 2011

Brian O.

2:31PM PDT on Aug 6, 2011

I was stunned by this. Do you know how obesity is rising in the U.S? The number of very obese has risen by more than 500% since 1960! This is a painful, expensive and dangerous condition that must be addressed.

I agree there are emotional factors, and moderation is key, but the overweight need guidance and help. We developed a diet that addresses all of those issues - including the psychological ones by making green tea the core food. It's at https://green-tea-depot/official-green-tea-diet and it has worked for everyone who has used it. It's free too.

Green tea has the highest levels of L-theanine in it. Theanine is an amino acid that crosses the blood-brain barrier and stimulates the release of dopamine - the neurotransmitter that controls the brain's pleasure centers. It also suppresses appetite, burns fat at least 4% faster, controls carbohydrate absorption in the lower intestine, increases stamina for exercise and maintains blood glucose levels.

We combined those properties with carbohydrate, fat, and calorie intake recommendations and a moderate exercise plan. The central concept is to create a modest carbohydrate deficiency (needed for energy) that forces the body to burn fat. The green tea helps metabolize the fat faster and keeps the dieter emotionally stable during the process. Most lose the temptation to snack within two weeks and start to feel better.

It works. We have to do something to help these people, and green tea is the perfect food for dieting.