Why Every Diet Works in the Short Run

I’m so tired of people singing the praises of a particular diet as the one true way to lose weight. Diet choice has become the new religion. Most of the time when I revisit a diet evangelist months later, the weight they lost has returned. They blame themselves and not the diet.

All diets work in the short run because they all have one thing in common. They restrict food choices, which causes us to pause and think about what we put in our mouths.

Food restriction = Caloric decrease = Weight loss.

But humans are hunters by design. Eventually we figure out how to get those lost calories by either ending the diet or finding other food choices that are acceptable. And if we don’t, then the body will adapt to the new level of calories and the weight loss will cease.

The key to fat loss isn’t the diet choice, it is the pause.

2 Comments

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  1. Along these lines…

    I’m reading Michael Pollan’s newest book, ‘In defense of food.” I think you may have read his first book, “The Omnivore’s Dilemma”? Anyway, I’m about half-way through and it’s quite good–looking better than the first. Edgier and even more condemning of the processed food establishment and the false science of nutritionists. Definitely worth a read.

    http://michaelpollan.com/books/in-defense-of-food/

  2. I’ve started reading nutrition books again. Two very smart people I follow disagree on a point I need to research more.

    I haven’t read either of Pollan’s books, but they are on the list.

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