Now You Don't Have to Blame Yourself for Blowing Your Diet

on October 27, 2011 at 5:05 PM

weight gain Who among us doesn't know how hard it is to lose weight and keep it off? (If you're not shaking your head slowly and sadly in answer, you must be one of the few lucky ones.)

We blame ourselves for our lack of willpower. We blame our spouses for buying our favorite ice cream. (We know, they were just trying to make us happy.) We blame our kids for not finishing their pasta, so we have to. (Can't let good food go to waste!)

But the next time we painstakingly lose a few pounds only to see them inevitably (oh so inevitably) boomerang back a few weeks later, we can go ahead and forgive all those people. Instead, we can start blaming our hormones.

A new study has found that even after people lose weight, they often put it back on -- not because they lack the understanding of how to keep it off or even the will to do so, but because their bodies continue to produce hormones that cue hunger. So even though they know they're not supposed to be eating that midnight plate of cookies, their bodies are screaming at them in no uncertain terms to scarf it right down.

Experts say this is evolutionary, that our bodies are built to rebel against weight loss. I say it's both liberating and depressing.

While it certainly explains why those extra pounds never seem to go away for good, it also means that, no matter what we do, those extra pounds probably never will go away for good.

But hope springs eternal. I'll probably keep trying ...

Right after I finish a few of these bite-size Halloween candy bars my hormones are telling me to eat.

Are you excited to blame your hormones for not being able to keep off extra weight?

Image via Nick J Webb/Flickr

About the author Amy Reiter

is a freelance writer living in Brooklyn, New York, with her husband/work spouse, two kids, and very demanding laptop computer.

Filed Under: body image, diets, eating habits, eating healthy, hormonal imbalances, obesity, weight loss

Comments (33)

ArmyWifeAshlie

on Oct 27, 2011 at 5:20 PM

I've lost 44lbs since July, and have 35 to go. I don't deprive myself and I slip up. But I also practice PORTION CONTROL! If more people would drink a big glass of water before going back for seconds or more, obesity wouldn't be such an issue. Not saying hormones don't play a part, but you CAN beat it.

Report this comment

1bluemonkey

on Oct 27, 2011 at 5:46 PM

Two things have helped me more than anything: 1) breaking my sugar and salt addiction and 2) going to BED.

When I eat sugary and salty foods, I crave more of them. Since I began limiting them and filling up on healthier choices, I've noticed my desire for them is less and less.

At night, if you are watching tv or using the computer, those things are keeping you awake when you should be sleeping. Your brain craves the sleep, but carbs will do in a pinch. Eating makes you feel better. Sleeping short-circuits that desire for nibbles at night and is better for your body because you are giving it what it actually needs.