The popular theory has pulled in millions of views on hit video sharing platform TikTok – but one doctor has advised people to exercise caution in order to avoid being ‘set up for failure’
A doctor has warned against a viral TikTok theory, claiming it “sets people up for failure”.
The video sharing platform is a hotbed of tips, tricks and theories which many are keen to try for themselves. One such recommendation that’s gathered traction online is ‘October Theory’, which advises people to set traditional New Year-style resolutions – like “lose weight” and “glow up” – throughout October.
Dr Crystal Wyllie, a leading health expert at one of the UK’s largest weight loss treatment providers, ZAVA Online Doctor, has warned against this, explaining the new TikTok trend could put “resolutees” under significant psychological pressure. Instead, the doctor advocates for more modest lifestyle changes that individuals can gradually integrate into their everyday lives.
There’s an abundance of TikTok videos professing the benefits of ‘October Theory’ and its potentially “transformative” effects on your life. The autumnal month has been dubbed a “mini January” by many video creators who’ve praised and recommended giving the theory a try.
A popular video by Kelly Sites, which summarises the theory, racked up an astonishing 1.7million views and thousands of comments from people who feel similarly. One person replied: “I feel like October is better than January”.
And one particularly popular comment reads: “The universe is in harmony in October, Libra is represented by the scales. Equal part sun, equal part moon. It’s ripe for new beginnings and transformation.”
A third said: “Yes!! I’ve noticed this [shocked face emoji] every sep/October I unlock new characters and my life changes drastically”
UK search data shows a consistent spike in online searches for traditional New Year’s resolutions every year, with search terms such as ‘weight loss’ and ‘diet’ gaining more than 1.5 million searches alone.
The telehealth provider says that while sustainable weight loss is achievable in the longer term, attempting to achieve such goals before the end of 2024 could be detrimental to patients’ physical and mental wellbeing.
Dr Wyllie explained: “New Year’s resolutions have been around for centuries. However, whether you set them in January or October, these lofty aspirations often set individuals up for failure and can take a significant toll on their mental health.
“We should move away from the all-or-nothing approach commonly associated with resolutions, and instead focus on small and steady changes that we can easily integrate into our daily routines.”
The doctor advises that should you wish to lose weight or get fitter, “setting yourself broad or overly ambitious goals” should be avoided. She continued: “Instead, think about how you can make one or two small changes to your everyday life that you know you can keep. The success of achieving those first few steps will empower you to keep going.
“Achieving your fitness goals can feel out of reach if you put too much pressure on yourself to get where you want to be right away. So try to avoid thinking about your fitness journey in the short term and take each day as it comes.”
For those keen to make a change, Dr Crystal Wyllie suggests simply adding movement to your day; making small, gradual changes to your diet; and getting enough sleep (between seven and nine hours) to make the most dramatic differences to your overall health and wellness.
