Why the Yo-yo?

Just think back over the last 10 years or so. Within those years, how many times have

you lost and gained weight? You actually found a weight loss strategy that worked for you, at

least for the season. Perhaps you reduced your intake of unhealthy food and started exercising

3 times a week, and you were consistent. It felt so good to reach your goals and you vowed

never to go back. You may have even given away clothes because keeping those larger size

jeans would only jinx you.

Fast forward a few years and as you attempt to squeeze into your new ‘fit body’ clothes,

you’re wishing you had kept some of those old drawstring pants. Fast forward a little more and

2020 happens. Welp, it’s stretch pants or maybe even pajama pants for a year, and there’s no

need to conform to the social standards of beauty. No one is going anywhere, and everyone is

preoccupied anyway. We’re bored, lonely, frustrated, depressed, worried, scared… Everyone is

going through so much emotionally and many gained additional pounds on top of the pounds

they may have already put on. Now we must start all over again, losing the weight we said we

would never put back on.

So why the yo-yo? The simple answer is “life happens”. In many cases where people

have successfully lost weight (using healthy life-style changes and not fad diets), people are

able to keep it off and not go back. For others, there is a bit more to consider. Why and what.

Why are we overeating in the first place AND What foods are we choosing to eat?

In the best conditions, our body is created to function perfectly. All its systems work together in equilibrium for optimal mental and physical health. For example, when we need to feel good, our brain can release chemicals called dopamine, serotonin, endorphins, and oxytocin. Now this is very simply put but follow me. When these chemicals are released, it helps us to feel “happy”. What happens however, when we are in a constant “2020 state of mind”? It can be a bit much for our systems to handle and can throw us off balance. When this happens,

us humans tend to reach for substances that release feel good chemicals so that we can feel

“happy” again. These substances can be alcohol, drugs, or food to name a few.

To stay on topic of the yo-yo, we’ll focus on the food. When you feel bad, do you reach

for a cucumber, or a candy bar? I can tell you for certain, when I want to feel better, I’m not

even thinking about anything that doesn’t contain sugar, fat, or a simple carbohydrate. I don’t

care anything about nutrition, I just want to quickly “medicate” with some dopamine filled

cupcakes.

Everyone experiences negative emotions. Unfortunately, sometimes much more than

they should; and everyone needs a way to feel better in those seasons. However, to prevent

the infamous yo-yo, we must be aware of what’s going on in our body and mind so that we can

alleviate the pain without expanding our waistline. When in a negative emotional state, stop

and process why you are reaching for those chips. If it is for balancing emotions, redirect

yourself to some of the other activities that have made you feel good in the past. Dancing or

watching a comedy are 2 of the things on my list. This list should be pre prepared and will be

different for everyone. No matter what you do, make sure it causes no harm and makes you

feel better. This may not work 100% of the time, and that’s ok. Each time you don’t reach for

an unhealthy item will be evident in the weight you do not gain which leads to a much shorter

extension of that yo-yo string.