What Happens to Your Body When You Diet?

Although there is really no "good" diet, millions of people each year attempt to lose weight by restricting the foods and beverages they consume. Most people will diet for a short period of time to possibly drop a few pounds quickly for events, such as vacation or a high reunion. Switching from normal eating habits to restricted eating can have negative physical and psychological effects on the body.

Yo-Yo Cycle

• To most people, the thought of going on a diet is unappealing, and for good reason. The dieter makes a conscious effort to restrict the kinds and amounts of foods consumed. This is typically for minimal to moderate weight loss. Once a dieter has achieved the weight loss goal, they go right back to their normal eating habits, and the weight is often re-gained. This sets up an unhealthy pattern of on again, off again, or "yo-yo" dieting. Even "diet thinking," such as counting carbs or fat grams, drinking diet sodas, and targeting certain foods as bad is not a good thing to do.

Physical Changes

• A number of physical changes occur in the body when dieting begins. Changes in metabolism will depend on the diet itself, along with supplements and exercise that is incorporated. Cholesterol levels and insulin levels may also vary, according to the type of diet undertaken. Your metabolism determines your energy needs, but your caloric intake and physical activity determine your weight.

Psychological Changes

• The psychological effects of dieting are caused by the inconsistency of the dieter. Pre-diet calorie consumption is typically high, and drops considerably when dieting begins. The reduction in caloric intake puts the body in starvation mode, and chemical changes in the brain cause the dieter to feel depressed and irritable. Many times, this is enough to cause the diet to fail, and the dieter returns to normal eating habits. Later, when another diet is attempted, the same moods are experienced as calories are reduced. This "yo-yo" effect can ultimately lead to weight gain instead of weight loss. With each failed attempt at dieting, the psychological urges to eat more food and consume more calories becomes stronger, often ending in unhealthy overconsumption.

Feel Better

• There are two options when deciding to diet. One is to avoid certain foods, cut calories, and try to keep a good attitude for the short duration of your diet. The other option is to make a complete change regarding eating habits. Learn which foods are healthier, and find ways to disguise them if they are not pallatable to you. It will take a while to get used to the new eating habits, but you will feel better and have more energy than you would if you choose the short-term option.

Increased Activity Level

• Shortcuts are not a good way to lose weight. The best way is to eat a healthy diet and include some type of daily physical activity, which boosts metabolism. This activity does not have to be strenuous; it can be as simple as housework, washing the car, or mowing the lawn with a walk behind mower. Take the stairs instead of the elevator, or walk to the corner store instead of driving. Any kind of physical activity will help to burn calories. A higher metabolism means your body uses more of the calories you consume, which minimizes weight gain and the unhealthy pattern of yo-yo dieting.