Diets don’t work because they are too restrictive and unsustainable in the long run.
Here’s why diets fail and what actually works for lasting weight loss:
Diets Are Doomed to Fail
Diets that severely restrict calories or eliminate entire food groups inevitably backfire due to psychological effects like intense cravings, binge eating after falling off the wagon, and an unhealthy preoccupation with food. A comprehensive analysis of 31 long-term studies found that most dieters regain all weight lost, plus more, within 4-5 years. Dieting is even associated with increased risk of future weight gain and eating disorders.
What Actually Works
Instead of dieting, focus on making sustainable lifestyle changes:
• Eat a balanced diet with all food groups, emphasizing fruits, veggies, lean protein and wholegrains. No foods are truly off-limits.
• Practice mindful eating and listen to your body’s hunger/fullness cues instead of restrictive rules.
• Find an exercise routine you enjoy and can stick with long-term.
• Enlist social support and don’t obsess over the scale.
The key is adopting a moderate, flexible approach to eating rather than following extreme, unsustainable diets. Small, consistent changes lead to lasting weight loss and better overall health.
There are several alternative weight loss methods beyond traditional dieting that can be effective for sustainable weight loss:
• Intermittent Fasting- Involves cycling between periods of fasting and eating. Popular methods include the 16/8 method (fasting for 16 hours, eating within an 8-hour window) and the 5:2 method (eating normally 5 days a week, restricting calories the other 2 days). Studies show intermittent fasting can boost metabolism and promote fat loss.
• Mindful Eating- Involves paying close attention to hunger cues, eating slowly, and savoring each bite without distractions. This practice can increase awareness of satiety and prevent overeating.
• Increasing Protein Intake- A high-protein can boost metabolism, reduce appetite, and promote feelings of fullness. Emphasizing lean protein sources like eggs, fish, legumes, and low-fat dairy can aid weight loss.
• Endoscopic Weight Loss Procedures- Although considered minimally invasive, I would personally save this as a last resort! Endoscopic techniques are gastric balloons, gastric injections, and endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty can restrict stomach capacity and slow digestion, leading to moderate weight loss without surgery. However, these procedures are not covered by insurance. The key is finding an approach that fits your lifestyle and preferences for lasting behavior change, rather than quick fixes or extreme diets.
Combining methods like mindful eating, exercise, and gradual calorie reduction tends to be most effective long-term.