Why Fad Diets Don’t Work
Have you walked into a book store lately? If so, you’ve probably noticed that there are a ton of books about how you can lose weight . Usually these books claim that you can lose fat fast. Any of us who have struggled with weight loss knows that this just isn’t true. However, we still hope that maybe this book has the secret that has eluded us for so long. The bottom line is that losing weight and keeping it off takes a lot of work. Like anything in life, if it’s worth doing it’s worth doing right. In the next few paragraphs I’m going to explain why a balanced diet is the way to go, and the problems with many of the most popular fad diets. Let’s get started.
I like to compare dieting to getting your finances in order. Take a minute to think about it. Do you have an Individual Retirement Account (IRA)? If not, you realize that you must educate yourself about this investment vehicle before diving in head first. Those of you who have already taken the plunge realize the work that goes into it. You have to figure out what you have to work with, what makes sense for your situation and then implement your strategy. This is very similar to dieting.
When you go on a diet, you need to change your eating habits the same way you change your financial habits. It can’t be done for a small amount of time. It has to be a permanent change to your life. If you only put money in your IRA for three months, you wouldn’t have that much when you retire. If you only stick with your diet for three months, you won’t lose a lot of weight. Make sure you find a system that works for you and implement it. Let’s talk about the problems with these fad diets.
If you are on a low-carb diet you are denying your body a certain amount of carbohydrates. Carbs are a source of energy for our body. If we have aren’t taken in the amount our body is used to, our body will look elsewhere for energy. People typically make up for these carbs by consuming more protein. If you consume too much protein and your body doesn’t use it, it may be stored as fat. In the long run, this diet makes your body more susceptible to gain weight at a faster clip. Be careful.
A low-fat diet can also cause your body problems. Many people on this diet consumer more carbs. These carbs can cause a drastic rise in an individuals blood sugar levels. This could lead to a blood sugar crash and significant weight gain. Of course, the dieting books don’t tell you this.
Just like you should be diversified when you invest, you must have a diversified diet. Your diet should be balanced with fruits, vegetables, protein, carbs and grains. Of course you can mix in some sweets. Just remember that moderation is the key. Exercise, eat well, and get an appropriate amount of sleep.
