by Caitlin H,
May 1, 2023
If you’re like many of our customers, there’s a solid chance you have tried some weight loss plans in the past—and didn’t see the long-term results you desired. Yo-yo dieting is when you spend most of your life trying the latest fad diet, rapidly losing weight and gradually gaining it back. It’s a common mistake people who struggle with weight make.
Here’s the thing: The people who find lasting success do so by making it a lifestyle. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t try a diet. Instead, it means you need to find a diet that works for you and sets you up to make eating healthy a standard part of your everyday life.
With that in mind, we rounded up 10 signs your diet is a dud. If you notice any of these things happening, you’re unlikely to stick with it and make changes that will last for the long haul.
1) It’s a complete reversal of your usual food.
Choosing a diet that completely eliminates all the foods you love will be challenging to follow. For example, if you typically eat meat and try a vegan diet, that’s probably not going to work. Don’t completely deprive yourself of the foods you enjoy most, particularly the healthy ones.
2) You feel hungry (and miserable) between meals.
If you’re constantly starving shortly after you eat a meal, you’re likely not getting the proper nutrition your body needs to sustain the diet.
3) You are bored out of your mind.
Constantly eating the same things over and over again is boring. And when you’re bored, that donut in the office becomes a bit more appealing every time you look at it. Chances are, you’ll cave — and the diet will go out the window, too.
4) You’re suffering from headaches and fatigue.
Believe it or not, headaches and fatigue may mean your body isn’t getting enough nutrition or water. You need a certain number of calories daily to keep your mind clear and focused, and your body energized. These physical signs are a good indication you’re not getting enough nutrition.
5) You have anxiety or fear about attending social occasions.
Get-togethers with friends, family, or co-workers typically occur with food and drinks. If you’re declining invitations to social occasions or worrying about attending because you’re afraid of the temptation, that’s not a diet you’ll stick with.
6) You’re going long stretches without food.
Some diets call for you to fast for an extended time each day. While this may work for some people, most find it difficult to sustain. You may feel tired, cloudy, or irritable if you go too long without eating.
7) You’re obsessing over every single thing you eat.
If you’re finding yourself constantly thinking about and tracking your food day in and day out, there’s a chance it might start interfering with the rest of your life and become an unhealthy obsession. Quality diets fit nicely into your busy lifestyle — they don’t become the focus of it.
8) You’re battling insomnia.
Proper nutrition makes a direct impact on your ability to sleep. Whether it’s from your stomach growling or a lack of nutrients, tossing and turning all night could be a sign your diet is a dud.
9) You’re having mood swings.
Ever heard of being “hangry”? Not eating right or consistently feeling hungry may lead to mood swings and irritability. A balanced, satisfied mood and mindset are critical to maintaining a diet.
10) You’re constantly having cravings.
Eliminating every food you love will likely cause cravings for them—and things you didn’t even know you liked. That’s a bad road to be on because you’ll likely give in to the cravings eventually or find yourself constantly miserable from feeling deprived.
Diet-to-Go isn’t about yo-you dieting. For over 30 years, we’ve created and delivered delicious, balanced meals controlled for portion size and nutrition to thousands of happy customers. We believe in a common sense approach to losing weight that ensures you won’t get bored and will gain the knowledge to eat well for the rest of your life.
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Author: Caitlin H
Diet-to-Go Community Manager
Caitlin is the Diet-to-Go community manager and an avid runner. She is passionate about engaging with others online and maintaining a healthy, active lifestyle. She believes moderation is key, and people will have the most weight loss success if they engage in common-sense healthy eating and fitness.
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