You can always tell people who are constantly on diets;

• They are the ones with two sets of clothes.

• When they have lost weight and are feeling good about themselves, they wear thigh-fitting pants and sweaters.

• Then they seem to disappear from the scene for a few weeks, only to reappear wearing billowing shirts and loose-fitting skirts.

• Ask them about that great looking pants suit and they will mumble something about it being at the cleaners.

Or at least that is what you think they mumbled, since it was hard to hear what they said through their mouthful of chocolate. You have befriended a classic dieting yo-yo.

For these people, they do not know how to diet for weight loss as alternating diets and binges are a way of life. Their bodies are constantly fluctuating between and ideal weight and some form of obesity. Their weight goes up and down like a child's yo-yo. As their weight changes so does their personality, alternating between being outgoing and reclusive.

Besides these personality changes, scientific studies show that such fluctuations of weight can lead to serious medical problems. Repeatedly losing and gaining weight may increase the risk of heart disease. What happens is that your heart adjusts to supplying blood to a body that's one size, only to be strained to pump some more as weight is gained.

A person whose weight fluctuates a lot therefore risks putting an unnecessary strain on the heart. In addition, since most of this weight gain is by fat accumulation and fat comes primarily from unhealthy sources of food, this yo-yo person is probably don’t know how to diet for weight loss healthily by consuming foods high in saturated fats and cholesterol.

Since we know that reduced calories leads to weight loss, it is only natural that there must be some level where you neither gain nor lose. It is a trial and error process, since all of us metabolize food at different rates.

For example, if you have been losing weight by eating 2000 calories a day, and you have reached your ideal weight, try increasing your diet to 2500 calories. After a few days of adjustment, weight yourself. If you have put on a few pounds, then cut back to 2250 calories and see what happens. Eventually, you will find the right amount of calories for you to maintain your weight and prevent the yo-yo syndrome.