Many individuals who follow strict diets experience rapid weight loss at the beginning, but once the diet period ends, the lost weight often returns. This common phenomenon occurs because the body’s metabolism slows down during calorie restriction. When the body senses a shortage of energy, it interprets it as a threat to survival and responds by conserving energy and storing fat. As a result, when normal eating resumes, the body quickly replenishes its lost fat reserves, causing the weight to return—sometimes even exceeding the original level.
This cycle of losing and regaining weight is called “weight cycling” or “yo-yo dieting.” It can have serious effects on both physical and mental health. Over time, frequent weight fluctuations may increase the risk of cardiovascular diseases, such as high blood pressure and heart problems. Moreover, constant dieting and regaining weight often lead to feelings of frustration, depression, and dissatisfaction with one’s body. The repeated cycle also weakens motivation and damages self-esteem, making it harder to maintain a healthy lifestyle in the long term. To prevent this, experts recommend adopting sustainable eating habits and gradual weight loss strategies rather than extreme diets that disrupt the body’s natural metabolic balance.
