Another Diet is not the end of the story.
When it comes to dieting, many people start strong, seeing promising progress on the scale and in the mirror. However, as the weeks and months pass, a frustrating reality often sets in: the results slow down. Despite sticking to the same plan, weight loss seems to stall, energy levels drop, and cravings grow stronger. This phenomenon is known as the diminishing returns of dieting for too long—and it’s an important concept to understand for long-term success. So, Why Do Diet Results Slow Down? Dieting, especially when it involves a calorie deficit, triggers a series of adaptive responses in the body. These are survival mechanisms designed to protect you from starvation. Here’s what happens: 1. **Metabolic Adaptation**: - As you lose weight, your body requires fewer calories to function. This is partly because a smaller body burns fewer calories and partly because your metabolism slows down to conserve energy. 2. **Increased Hunger Hormones**: - Levels of hormones like ghrelin (which signals hunger) increase, making it harder to stick to your plan. Meanwhile, leptin (the hormone that signals fullness) decreases, amplifying cravings. 3. **Decreased Non-Exercise Activity Thermogenesis (NEAT):** - Your subconscious movements, like fidgeting or even standing, naturally decrease when energy is limited. This subtle shift can reduce the number of calories you burn daily. 4. **Mental Fatigue:** - Constantly restricting your food intake can wear you down mentally, making you more likely to give in to cravings or fall into cycles of overeating and guilt. ### The Risks of Prolonged Dieting Dieting too long without breaks can backfire in several ways: - **Muscle Loss**: A prolonged calorie deficit will lead to muscle breakdown, especially if protein intake or resistance training isn’t prioritized. - **Hormonal Imbalances**: For both men and women, extended dieting can disrupt hormones, affecting mood, energy, and even reproductive health. (I’ve worked with too many ladies over the years that have lost their period, or even gone into early menopause because of dieting too much)