Does Permanent Weight Loss Really Exist?

Permanent weight loss is the goal of millions of people across the United States. It’s no mystery why. The majority of us are obese or overweight. As information grows about the dangers of carrying excess weight, more people are attempting to reach a healthy BMI. That said, there are a lot of challenges that come with trying to drop the pounds.

The first is that it’s not typically easy to lose the excess weight in the first place. Next, even if you do lose it, trying to turn it into permanent weight loss is easier said than done. All too often, the yo-yo effect kicks in and back come the pounds. In fact, a significant percentage of people who lose weight will not only regain it, but will also find themselves weighing more than they did when they started. This can, of course, be extremely frustrating. It can cause considerable harm to the motivation to try again.

Consider “The Biggest Loser”

One of the most common and best examples of how hard it is to achieve permanent weight loss is from the reality TV show, “The Biggest Loser”. In that show, contestants worked to lose the most weight in order to win a cash prize.

All controversy over the weight methods used aside, one major tragedy of the outcome was that they did not achieve permanent weight loss. Most of the contestants at all levels regained the weight. This was even true of the winners, many of whom are now heavier than they were to begin with.

Can Permanent Weight Loss Exist?

The weight management strategies we choose have an extremely large impact on our ability to achieve permanent weight loss.

When the efforts made to lose weight are not something that can be maintained over a lifetime, permanent weight loss becomes next to impossible. Moreover, it can become easier to gain weight because metabolisms often slow down using many common forms of weight loss.

In short, yes, permanent weight loss is possible, but it requires you to focus on losing the pounds in a healthy, gradual way with a focus on the long term. It isn’t just a matter of using medically approved diet and fitness programs. Mindset and lifestyle are critically important. Any effort you make must be something you’re willing to keep up.

After all, if you return to your old habits, then you will return to your old weight. This isn’t as easy as it sounds, but it can be done. The right strategy, support and attitude will be required.