Diets have been around for hundreds of years and you’d think it’s the way to go if you’re planning to shed a few pounds. However, in truth, dieting actually makes you GAIN weight. When you’re doing it wrong of course – which unfortunately, most people do!
Here’s why.
The science behind dieting is no different from starvation. The brain is in control of your weight and when you go on a diet, your brain sends signals to your body in shock because of the drastic change in food you’re taking in.
A hormone known as Leptin plays an important part in making sure your diet fails by storing up fat. Again, this is ultimately due to your body that is in shock by the sudden lack of food. Aside from that, the stress that comes with dieting also triggers hunger that often result in binge eating.
If you’re really keen on losing weight, the best diet you can go on is not suddenly cutting down on your food intake or starve yourself, but actually by switching the less healthy food you consume. For instance, your daily greasy, high carb and low nutrient meals should be replaced by something more high in fibre, protein and vitamins.
You can search up a bunch of diet and hope it works but unless you have a really high tolerance, it probably wouldn’t work as you hoped it would. If you really want to cut down on that food intake then do it gradually, not go on a crash diet. Also, remember, breaking up your meals into 3 small portions throughout the day is better than having 3 big meals!
Here are some other basic tips you should know too:
1. The classic 8 glasses of water a day to drink!
This is standard as water flushes out toxins in your body, a natural detox.
2. Going to the loo about twice a day should be the norm
For the amount we eat, it should come off as a surprise! For that, fibre is essential, so pack up on fruits and vegetables to keep your bowels moving.
3. Lean white protein is the way to go
For instance, chicken, or fish. These white meat help rejuvenate and repair muscles. Try avoiding red meat which are high in saturated fat, hence raising blood cholesterol.
4. There’s no way to go about it but, yes, you need to exercise!
A lot of people think that just because they’ve cut down on their meal portions, they won’t need to exercise to slim down. WRONG! Exercising goes hand-in-hand with dieting as it increases your metabolism which ultimately helps you shed those pounds (even in your sleep!).
There you have it! Practice the right diet so you don’t get increasingly frustrated on why you’re NOT losing weight.
Also read: 7 Ridiculous Workout and Dieting Myths Some Malaysians Still Believe In
