Yo-yo dieting also known as weight cycling is an problem for thousands of individuals around the world. It is typically characterised by a period of quick weight loss followed by the regaining of the lost weight as a routine diet is resumed.There are a number of health consequences for someone who has followed a pattern of yo yo dieting and for fill with who feel they are on a roller coaster diet. One of these is a loss of muscle mass. Muscle is needed for flexibility and strength and it additionally burns calories at a rate that is ten times higher than that of fat tissue. Without this fat burning muscle tissue as soon as a diet stops weight is regained at a quicker rate.Yo –yo dieting will additionally reduce the metabolic rate. A high metabolic rate is vital as more calories are burnt more quickly by a person that has a high metabolic rate. Constantly gaining and losing pounds upsets the metabolic rate and it can in some cases take up to a year to stabilise.Another consequence of yo-yo dieting is that bone density is reduced. This can lead to an increased probability of fractures and broken bones for yo-yo dieters.Finally yo-yo dieters can suffer from extreme mood swings due to low blood sugar levels and also from low thyroid symptoms. They can experience out of control yearnings, especially sugar.If in the past you have found yourself in the cycle of yo-yo dieting or are still in it at present there is still hope. Any dieting harm done to the body can be repaired. It is essential to start thinking in the long term and to set a realistic target of fat loss of around 1-2pounds every week.To start to slim the healthy way it is first essential to concentrate on having a healthy balanced diet. A healthy diet ought to be rich in fruit and vegetables, wholegrain foods such as brown bread, pasta and rice, contain a regular source of lean protein and a couple of low fat dairy products. Wholegrain foods are useful for people wishing to lose weight as they are super sources of fibre and help to keep you feeling fuller for longer.The second step to take is to eliminate bad eating habits as much as feasible. Comfort eating may well be a comfort but it will critically hamper any fat loss attempt. If you are eating for any reasons other than hunger such as boredom, as a reward or to deal with stress these issues need to be brought under control to help any weight loss attempt and to stop feeling guilty following eating.If you intend to be slim and still enjoy food then working out is very key. Exercise helps to burn off surplus calories as well as helping to tone and strengthen the body. Exercise additionally helps to boost the metabolism as well as releasing feel good endorphins into the bloodstream.To slim the natural way 3 things are key: having a healthy diet, controlling eating habits and regular keep fit. To slim without pressure take a long term viewpoint about what you are hoping to do. Think about how you will look in 6 months time and not 6 weeks.