The number of inquiries I get per day on weight loss pills, diets, products, and drinks is amazing. People want quick fixes! The PROBLEM…there just isn’t one, but if you are determined to spend time looking for one, I want you to know what to look out for.
Here are a four sure fire signs that the diet you are interested in is crap:
1) Any diet that has a food in the title is your first red flag. Some examples are the Cabbage Soup, Grapefruit, Twinkie, and Cookie diets. These diets make it appear that one food is the key to weight loss, however, no one food acts like a magical pill that causes your waist to shrink.
2) A program or diet that promises you will rapidly lose a significant amount of weight on their plan. A healthy weight loss program aims for between 1/2 pound to 2 pounds of weight loss per week. I know on the Biggest Loser contestants are dropping more than 2 pounds a week, but if you lose weight too quickly you may lose muscle, bone and water in the process. Weight loss programs that guarantee quick weight loss also increase your chances of quickly gaining weight back.
3) Avoid any diet that says you must eliminate one or more food groups from your daily intake. Some diets for example, may tell you to eliminate carbohydrates or fats. These programs will prevent you from consuming important nutrients and are not sustainable.
4) If a diet or program states that there is no need to exercise, don’t believe it! One key to living a healthy lifestyle is daily physical activity. It is recommended to get 30-60 minutes a day if you are trying to maintain your weight, however, if you are trying to lose weight, it is recommended to get 60-90 minutes a day.
We are living in a society that is fast paced and because of that, it seems no one wants to put effort and/or time into their health anymore. There are no quick fixes! You will likely end up gaining more weight after you have tried out a fad diet than before you started it. Reason being…you didn’t learn anything in the process. You didn’t learn to make exercise a part of everyday life, just as brushing your teeth has become. You didn’t learn to practice making daily healthy food choices. A healthy lifestyle consists of the combination of healthy eating and exercise.
Photo Courtesy of Mr. Tender Branson.
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
I did a Primetime segment on these diets. Aside from being silly, some of the newer ones Hcg etc are downright dangerous. Good job dispelling the rumors.
Thanks Lauren! I hope you are staying warm today
It is a blizzard in Chicago!