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Fitness coach reveals the reason people gain weight after stopping a diet, shares reverse diet plan

For those who regain fat after shedding weight, a fitness coach emphasised the importance of the reverse diet, which is essentially paying attention to your calorie intake, proteins, and more. Here’s what you should take note of

January 19, 2026 / 07:30 IST
Fitness coach revels the number one reason people regain all the lost weight is that they were never taught how to exit a diet. (Picture Credit: Pexels)
Snapshot AI
  • People regain weight after diets due to not learning how to exit a diet properly
  • A reverse diet gradually increases calories to avoid quick weight regain.
  • Gradual calorie increases help reset metabolism and maintain weight loss

Many people follow various diets for weight loss, including the keto, paleo, and vegan diets, among others. But as soon as they achieve the target and go back to their normal pattern of eating, they regain all the kilos they had shed. Fitness coach Dan Go, in his new video on Instagram, revealed the real reason behind this.

He said, “The number one reason people regain all the weight they lose has nothing to do with willpower or effort. It’s because they were never taught how to exit a diet.” Once you finish dieting and return to routine, your body rebels, and that doesn’t really help.

What happens when you exit a diet?

Dan explained, “When you diet, you lower your calories, and your metabolism adapts by lowering your hunger hormones. So when most people finish a diet, they make one fatal mistake, which is going back to their normal way of eating, and when the body sees a sudden calorie jump, it causes rapid water, glycogen, and sometimes fat regain.”

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Even psychologically, going back to the foods you enjoy increases hunger. It makes you opt for foods that you wouldn’t take on a diet. Dan said, this is not because you failed but because your body and mind weren’t ready. That’s when the reverse diet steps in.

What is a reverse diet?

It is simply a controlled and gradual increase in the amount of calories you consume. This helps your body find that sweet spot where it doesn’t store fat and increases your hunger. “In a nutshell, you want to be adding more calories slowly, week by week, while monitoring your weight and hunger,” Dan said.

“A simple version of this is adding 50 to 100 calories per week, most of the time in carbs, while keeping your protein stable. As you do this, you want to watch the weekly weight average, not just the daily scale noise. So after a dieting phase, you want your body and mind to get used to eating more calories. Once you do that your metabolism and your body are going to thank you,” he added.

This helps reset your metabolism and prevents you from regaining fat. Dan stressed that the exit energy is crucial because when you lose weight, it matters to keep it off and stay healthy.

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FAQs on why do people regain weight after they stop being on a diet:

1. Why does weight come back after stopping a diet?

Most diets create a calorie deficit that’s hard to maintain long term, so old eating habits return.

2. Does metabolism slow down after dieting?

Yes, especially after very low-calorie diets, the body adapts by burning fewer calories.

3. Can muscle loss during dieting cause weight regain?

Yes, losing muscle lowers metabolism, making it easier to regain fat later.

4. How do restrictive diets affect weight regain?

They often lead to cravings, binge eating, and rebound weight gain once the diet ends.

5. How can weight regain be prevented after dieting?

Gradually increasing calories, building muscle, and maintaining healthy habits help prevent rebound weight.

Disclaimer: This article, including health and fitness advice, only provides generic information. Don’t treat it as a substitute for qualified medical opinion. Always consult a specialist for specific health diagnosis.

 

Gursimran Kaur Banga is a Delhi-based content creator, editor and storyteller.
first published: Jan 19, 2026 07:29 am

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