When we think of dieting, we think of restriction, calorie deficiency, lettuce, plain and boring foods, cardboard crackers, powders and pills. Yuck. Welcome to the plant-based diet for weight loss, which has zero calorie counting, quantity restrictions, or calculating nutrients.
The average adult will try 126 different diets in their lifetime. What we can conclude from that is that those diets don't work. If they did work, then the average American would have tried 1 diet in their lifetime, and they would have stuck to it.
A good diet is one that you can stick to. The issue is that calorie deprivation, carb deprivation, pills, and powders are not sustainable methods of weight loss. The ongoing restriction is not sustainable. The all-or-nothing approach is not sustainable. It's not the fault of the dieter, as these diets were not designed for long-term use. In fact, most of them are dangerous if carried out long-term. Some may even result in non-communicable diseases like heart disease, kidney failure, liver damage, and bone degeneration.
These 3 individuals struggled with dieting for years until they found a new approach to weight loss that was entirely sustainable. In fact, this new approach resulted in disease reversal, as well as overall improved quality of life. Turns out that a plant based diet for weight loss (or close to it) does the trick... just look at the scientific evidence behind it:
3 People that let go of yo-yo and fad dieting
As we at MamaSezz well know, changing to a plant-based diet can change your life in ways you never expected. In this series, we talk with some of the world’s most soulful, dedicated (and often funny) individuals. We get to hear their stories of suffering, transformation, and service — and we learn how food is an essential part of their journey.
This week, we're looking back at three stories of individuals who struggled with yo-yo dieting. They spent their lives fluctuating by 50 pounds at a time, constantly losing weight and then gaining it back. Truly, they thought long-term weight loss was a myth, they that they were just "built differently" and that the diseases that ran in their families would one day inevitably come for them as well. They finally made a discovery that transformed their lives forever. Here's what happened.
1) Mark stopped Yo-Yo dieting for good after going plant-based
Make was about 50 pounds over his ideal weight when he turned 56. At this point, he was sick of yo-yo dieting. His blood pressure was 140/90, which isn't off the charts but also isn't ideal. He didn't feel as though he was incredibly sick but recognized that he was embodying the typical overweight, out-of-shape American who got by with taking prescription medication each day. Diets just didn't seem to stick, and Mark was starting to lose hope. At this point, he was a pescatarian and figured that was just about the healthiest diet he could be on.
After watching multiple family members struggle with sickness, Mark knew he had to make a change with his diet. Working in healthcare, he had resources to help direct his final jump towards health. He and his wife gradually went whole food plant-based, and today he feels healthy, fit, and on top of the world. And best of all? No more yo-yo dieting!
2) Debbie was obese and sick, now she is fit and healthy
Debbie Keele is an RN who was sick of yo-yo dieting, insulin shots, restrictive eating, and all of the aches and pains that came with obesity. Being chronically sick with diabetes and obesity made everyday life a challenge. She had tried diet after diet, but nothing seemed to take long-term.
When she came across Dr. Esselstyn's book Preventing and Reversing Heart Disease (the same book that inspired the MamaSezz co-founders), Debbie decided to do a deep dive into the benefits of a plant-based diet. She was shocked she never learned of this lifestyle in her nursing program and decided to give it a try on her own. The results were life-changing.
3) Kim tried every diet in the book, but a lifestyle change was the answer
"I was at my highest weight in YEARS and nothing I did seemed to work; I only continued to yo-yo diet and put on more weight than I could take off. Calorie counting, Weight Watchers, Keto, Whole 30…I’ve tried them all, y’all…
I was also tired all the time, didn't sleep well, had brain fog, my joints hurt when I exercised, and my mood was not great.
But after re-committing to a whole food plant-based, I lost 19 pounds and 17.5 inches in only 20 weeks!!!And I’ve been able to keep it off, without feeling hungry, deprived or counting a single calorie! And the best part is, I FEEL so much better.
I have more energy, zero constipation. My joints and mood are great. I sleep better and the brain fog has completely lifted (which I had been worried about since my dad’s Alzheimer’s diagnosis). I've never felt so good!"
Ready to lose weight with a plant-based lifestyle?
Ditch fad diets and get the support you need to live your best whole food plant-based life when you sign up for the MamaSezz Guaranteed Weight Loss Program. Real food, real lasting results.