Weight Loss Challenges

Most weight loss challenges are a hidden way to make you feel like you aren’t on a diet. Instead you are most likely following a meal and exercise plan for 4, 6, 8 or 12 weeks that is expected to change your life in a very short time frame. I don’t know a single person who wouldn’t want to transform their life in just a few weeks! Is it too good to be true? Short answer – Usually but let’s explore the topic.

Pros

• Weight loss (in the short term)

• Motivate people to change

• Short period of motivation required

• Often a supportive environment

Cons

• No long term motivation or support

• Usually a set meal plan that doesn’t take into account your food preferences, or those of your family, your cooking abilities or your lifestyle.

• Often involve strict energy restriction and no allowances for eating out or sharing meals in a social setting

• Often excessive or unsustainable exercise requirements

The reason that these challenges appeal to so many is the short timeframe you need to stay motivated, but this is also their biggest downfall. Short term challenges perpetuate the yo-yo dieting cycle and like most weight loss diets for the majority of people don’t lead to long term weight loss. Unfortunately, regardless of how much weight they have lost most people will end up returning to their pre-intervention weight over time. Not only does your self-confidence take a hit, your metabolism does too.

If you can shift your focus to improving your health, rather than on just weight loss by numbers on the scale, then some challenges can be helpful in kickstarting your journey. With any change made to your lifestyle you should always ask yourself “Can I continue this long term?”. If the answer is no, it’s probably not worth doing, at least not yet! Slow and sustainable changes are key, you might not transform your life in 4-12 weeks, but you will be working towards a healthier lifestyle that will be more sustainable for years to come.

If you truly want to lose weight or improve your health and fitness in any area, settle in for the long haul. Make the decision in your mind, acknowledge where you are, and how long it may take for you to get to where you want to be. Be honest with yourself about the current state of your habits. Make changes that you can maintain for life, not just for a few weeks. Ask for help from your family, friends, and professionals who want to be there for you over the course of months to years, not weeks. Be willing to invest your time, money, and energy into making a positive change in your health.