Going on a “diet” to lose weight has been a popular tool for years. Although diets can help people lose weight quickly, they often fail at keeping weight off long term. On the other hand, lifestyle changes incorporated in conjunction with weight control surgery, such as the Lap Band procedure in Columbus, help people maintain long-term weight loss while improving their health.
Let’s look at the differences between lifestyle changes vs. diet.
- Food Selection – When you are on a diet, certain foods are supposed to be eliminated. For instance, dieters are supposed to avoid carbohydrates if they are on a “no-carb diet.” However, carbohydrates and particularly whole grains are an important part of a balanced diet, and may offer some protection from certain diseases such as cancer and health disease. On the other hand, lifestyle changes don’t necessarily mean you have to give up any food.
- Staying Motivated – Diets can be hard to follow long term. Dieting often involves sacrificing and making strict restrictions, which is difficult to sustain for long periods of time. When making lifestyle changes however, you can occasionally indulge in treats, as long as it is done in moderation.
- Long-Term Results – Many dieters have a difficult time keeping weight off. Once a dieter has reached her goal she may become more lax on dieting or stop altogether; the result is often that weight begins to pile back on. On the flip side, eating habits learned through making a lifestyle change become a permanent part of your life, making it easier to maintain a healthy weight. This is particularly the case when lifestyle changes are combined with weight control surgery.
- Risks – Yo-yo dieting, or losing and regaining weight over and over can cause health complications. Some studies reveal that yo-yo dieting (also called weight cycling) may increase your risk of gall bladder disease, high cholesterol and high blood pressure. Further, losing and regaining weight repeatedly can make you feel depressed and discouraged.
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