Avoiding the Summer Trap: How Sustainable Weight Loss Beats Quick Fixes

Actually, this heading can apply to any number of special events. For instance, instead of saying, “I’m getting ready for summer,” it could have been, “I’m going to a wedding,” or “I’m taking a vacation,” etc. The concept is the same, and it’s often a recipe for disappointment.

Today, while ordering a 6 inch sandwich at Subway, I overheard three women say, “Please scoop the guts out of my bread, I’m getting ready for summer.” Out of the three, two were obese, and one was a bit heavier, though not to the same extent.

Why do we put ourselves through this? I say we because I know this trap well myself—how else could I speak about it? We can try to starve ourselves, but especially at higher levels of obesity, it often doesn’t work out. The one who was less heavy might see some changes, but after summer, it’s common to return to previous habits or even gain more weight.

That was my experience. Every time I made drastic cuts before an event, I’d regain the weight afterward—plus some extra pounds. This cycle repeated until I became much heavier and older, and eventually those intense approaches just weren’t possible anymore. That led to a long period of poor health and being quite overweight.

I’ve learned that the best approach is to set realistic goals and stay committed over the long term. The “summer trap” and similar quick-fix plans often set us up for failure. These goals are usually unrealistic and hard to maintain, which can take a psychological toll. Many of us who gain significant weight eat in response to stress or disappointment, and failing at such goals can lead to more of that emotional eating. I know I went through that cycle myself—it’s tough.

The key is a sustainable, long-term commitment. Avoid setting unfair or extreme goals for yourself. While I’m not your typical “hippy,” I do encourage giving your body a break and focusing on what really works over time.

Not to sound harsh, but those ladies I saw still had quite a journey ahead before they’d be truly “ready for summer.” My advice to anyone reading this is to let go of drastic plans, make gradual lifestyle changes, and allow time to do its work. Reach your goals when you can, and do it in a way that helps you avoid crash diets next year because you’ve been making steady progress all along.

I’m nearly two years into this ongoing weight loss journey and haven’t yet hit the goal I set at the start. It’s not easy; it requires patience and dedication. But it’s the only way that works long term. If you don’t believe me, take a look at many contestants from weight loss shows and see how many have maintained their results.

Long term is the only way! Feel free to reach out if you want to talk.