A diet cycle, also known as weight cycling, is when you repeatedly lose and regain weight. You can experience a small cycle which means you lose and regain between 5 and 10 lbs. or you could have a large cycle, losing and regaining 50 lbs. or more. Health professionals aren't sure that cycling cause health problems but they suspect it can affect your mental health as constantly losing then regaining weight when you want to permanently lose it can be demoralizing.
Step 1
Determine if you are overweight or obese. If you are neither overweight or obese, and you don't have any existing health issues related to your weight, then you need to maintain a healthy weight. There is no need to diet if you are a healthy weight.
Step 2
Lose weight slowly if you are overweight or obese. Aim to initially lose 10 percent of your body weight, at a rate of 1 to 2 lbs. per week. This gives you a short term goal that is achievable. Once you have lost this amount of weight, you should be able to reap the health benefits of being lighter.
Step 3
Maintain a steady weight loss of 1 to 2 lbs. per week until you reach your goal weight. If you keep to a steady but slow weekly weight loss, you are more likely to keep the weight off, and therefore are more likely to avoid the cycle of losing weight, then gaining it to then lose it again. To maintain this steady loss eat a well balanced, low calorie diet each day, avoiding excess fats, and include regular exercise; aim for 30 minutes of exercise such as walking or cycling, five times per week.
Tips and Warnings
- Take regular exercise, which will contribute to your steady weight loss. If you lose weight steadily instead of quickly, you are more likely to keep the weight off.
- Avoid fad diets which may result in swift weight loss, but you are likely to regain the weight once you come off of the diet.
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