By this time of year, most New Year’s resolutions to lose weight have long since bitten the dust. But actually, the prospects for successful dieting are never good. Out of every 100 people who diet, only four are able both to lose weight and to maintain their post-diet weight.
When it comes to dieting, most of us are hopeless recidivists. Most of us also refuse to accept such glum news.
A recent survey of women’s eating habits found that the median caloric intake is only about 1,600 calories per day, even though the recommended dietary allowance (RDA) for adult women is 2,200 daily calories. The evidence that diets are doomed to failure is extensive.
The reasons for such failures are not always found in a lack of willpower. Our metabolic rate conspires against sustained weight loss by decreasing in response to reduced caloric intake so the body can still function.
‘Most studies, and the strongest science, shows weight loss… is actually strongly associated with increased risks of death – by as much as several hundred per cent.’
Let’s raise a well-laden fork to resolving not to think about dieting again until next year.