Many people want to lose weight in the new year – preferably very quickly. Lose a few kilos – the classic New Year’s resolution. In surveys, the majority of respondents say every year that they want to pay more attention to their health, and book of oz slots at the top of the list.
Losing weight can be good for your health and self-esteem, provided of course that you are actually overweight – and not just suffering from social (illusory) norms that only present certain body images as desirable. And even then, natural and healthy weight loss is much more sensible than any quick weight loss guide.
Our advice: Spare yourself the obsessive desire to lose weight – especially not in a hurry. We’ll tell you 1. why this doesn’t work – and 2. what you should do instead.
It’s simply a stupid idea to lose weight quickly. Where does this desire actually come from? Do your knees and feet really hurt? Is your weight restricting you in your everyday life or your performance? Or do you just want to look like the people in the commercials? Whose appearance is not only polished up with lots of tricks, but whose job it is to sell us (often quite superfluous) things and services with their appearance?
IT CAN MAKE YOU UNHAPPY
One argument against losing weight as a resolution is that dieting makes you unhappy. There are as many diets as there are promises to lose weight effortlessly: 24-hour diets, oatmeal diets, no-carb diets, low-carb diets, paleo diets, cinnamon diets, food combining diets, glyx diets and dozens of others.
They all have one thing in common: a diet has little to do with natural weight loss, as it almost always involves more or less radical sacrifice. And going without means dissatisfaction. After all, eating is one of the most beautiful and important things in life. If we are no longer able or allowed to enjoy it, then this is also reflected in our state of mind. And not only there.
IT CAN MAKE YOU GAIN WEIGHT
People who want to lose weight quickly often look for a diet. And the idea of losing a few kilos quickly and in a targeted manner with a diet is naturally tempting.
Unfortunately, this is often followed by the yo-yo effect. People who restrict themselves for a limited period of time continue to eat as before after the diet and quickly put the pounds back on.
In 2016, US scientists discovered that participants in the popular weight loss show “The Biggest Loser” were not only fatter six years after the show than they were shortly after the show, but that their bodies were actually resisting the weight loss: all participants’ basal metabolic rate – the energy that the body uses regardless of exercise and sport – had fallen during the show and was still significantly lower six years later.
The – certainly somewhat sobering – state of science is therefore: most diets do not seem to work sustainably or be particularly healthy for our bodies.
Even if you are overweight and your health is suffering because of your weight, there are better and healthier ways to lose weight naturally than a quick diet.
Healthy and natural weight loss is possible – with mindful enjoyment
Natural weight loss through a general change in diet is better than any restrictive diet. You don’t have to change your diet overnight. Instead, you can gradually change a few small things. You will see: It’s very easy to make your life and your diet a little bit healthier, more mindful and more sustainable.
