Many people reach the stage where they feel nothing but contempt and disgust because they are overweight, and they yield to the temptation to indulge in over dieting (also known as crash dieting). Over dieting can lead to many health complications and if you are already overweight your body may not have sufficient resources to cope. There are many reports of people who have literally died as a result of over dieting.

What are the tell-tale signs of over dieting?

One of the first is dizziness accompanied by a nasty ringing in the ears. Medical experts tell us this is due to the fact that the body is being subjected to a nutritional imbalance. It is Nature's way of giving a warning! And we should heed such a warning by getting back to a nutritionally balanced diet straight away. Ignoring the warning will only lead to the complications mentioned above. We need to bear in mind that some of the damage done under these circumstances can be irreversible.

More symptoms of over dieting

Other common symptoms of over dieting are abdominal discomfort, sharp pains and indigestion. Remember that we have a lifetime habit of eating food at certain periods of the day (breakfast time, lunch time, etc.). This regular consumption enables the body to function effectively. Any serious disruption to this well-established pattern causes the body's functions to become confused. Chemicals become unbalanced and this leads to a burning sensation in the stomach. When this symptom is ignored a stomach ulcer or inflammation can develop.

Over Dieting and the Yo-yo Effect

Dieticians often refer to what is known as the Yo-yo Effect. This is the tendency to lose weight rapidly, then start over-eating again as soon as a loss of weight is noticed! This can be very harmful. The best way to avoid it is not to indulge in over dieting in the first place. A more gradual and controlled weight loss plan is much more desirable as it allows the body to adjust and does not have any of the nasty symptoms of over dieting. And when a person has achieved the desired weight loss by this means it is far less likely that the weight will be regained. Slow and steady brings long-term success!

An additional benefit is that when there is an absence of uncomfortable feelings and unhealthy complications, the dieter will be much more inclined to take up exercise and physical activities, which are the ideal companions to balanced dieting. Be sensible and give over dieting a miss!

About the Author

Frank McGinty is a teacher, counselor, and internationally published author, with lots of experience in helping people improve their lives. Would you like to overcome your weight problems - and be happy, healthy and optimistic? Discover some outstanding resources here: http://www.weightloss.fssgold.com - and claim your free weight loss report.