Why Fad Diets Don't Work

When it comes to dieting, most people want a quick fix.  For instance, maybe it’s a daily weight loss pill that promises you’ll lose X amount of pounds with little or no effort on your part.  Or it could be you have to cut out a certain food group (i.e. carbs) and only eat another food group (i.e. protein).  Let’s face it though – our bodies are not made to limit our bodies in such a way that we deprive ourselves of necessary nutrients.  When it comes right down to it – fad diets don’t work!

There are so many fad diets out there – I’m sure you’ve heard of at least one of them: The Atkins Diet, The South Beach Diet, Slim Fast, etc.  One of the reasons why fad diets don’t work is that you cannot sustain this type of eating plan for the rest of your life.  Imagine if you drank Slim Fast shakes for the rest of your life.  First of all, that would get boring.  More importantly, however, is that once you stop following a fad diet, you are more likely to put the weight back on (and unfortunately more quickly than it came off).

It is possible to see quick results with fad diets.  The drawback is that those results are not likely to last.  As soon as you go back to your old eating habits, the progress you made will soon fade away.  The most effective way to lose weight is to ditch the diet pills and focus on eating the right foods in sensible portions and exercise frequently. 

So, what fad diets have you tried in the past?  Have they been effective at helping you keep the weight off long-term?  Leave a comment below about your fad diet experience.

Watch this short YouTube video for more about Why Fad Diets Don't Work.     

This slide show depicts 10 Famous Fad Diets.  Which ones have you heard of?

Reference:

www.sixpacksmackdown.com

The Basics of Shopping for Healthy Foods

Ok, so you’ve made up your mind that you are going to live a healthier lifestyle.  In doing so, you realize that the food you have in your refrigerator and cupboards right now is not exactly the healthiest!  We’ve all been there. 

The first thing to do is to toss out all of the unhealthy foods.  By getting it out of the house, you won’t be tempted.  Next, make a list of healthy foods you like. Keep in mind that you need to incorporate fruits, veggies, protein, fiber, as well as healthy fats like nuts and extra virgin olive oil.  By having a grocery list in hand when you go to the store, you are less likely to be swayed by items you shouldn’t be buying.

Another key component to shopping for the right foods is paying attention to food labels.  Reading food labels takes practice but there are a few areas you want to look at.  The ingredients list is one of them.  The items with the highest content are listed first.  If sugar or high fructose corn syrup is listed first or second, it probably shouldn’t go on your shopping list.  Also, stay away from (partially) hydrogenated oils as they have been known to cause serious health risks, including cancer and heart disease.

 

The serving size is also important.  A certain food might only show 3 grams of fat per serving, but there may be 10 servings in the whole package/box.  By not looking at the serving size, you may end up consuming way more than you intended to.

Some people think eating healthy is expensive, which is true in some regards.  However, it doesn’t have to be.  Buying fruits that are in season will help you save some money.  When you find a food that is on sale, stock up if you can (provided it isn’t a perishable item).  Keep in mind that you can also freeze many foods and save them for later.  When you think about your health, can you really afford not to eat healthy?  

Take a look at this photo. 

Let’s say you only have $20 to spend for lunch this week.  You could go to the local fast food restaurant and get enough for one or two unhealthy meals or you could go to the grocery store and buy enough healthy food for the entire week.  What would you pick?









For more healthy shopping tips, watch as Dr. Oz explains what to look for in the grocery store   

Test your knowledge on food labels and take this interactive quiz: Food Label Quiz

References:

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The Importance and Benefits of Living a Healthy Lifestyle

Most people don’t realize how important it is to live a healthy lifestyle.  I’ll admit that I was one of those people.  But now, I know that the choices I make now could impact my life in more ways than one down the road.

A healthy lifestyle isn’t just about eating the right foods.  Exercising is also an essential part of a healthy body.  I will be the first to tell you that doing either one consistently is not easy.  You have to make a conscious choice every day to be healthy.  No one can do it for you, unfortunately!

Regardless of what your motivation is, making a change today (even a small change) can make a big difference.  When I say “small change”, I mean small.  You don’t have to completely flip your life around overnight by working out for 2 hours a day and completely giving up your favorite food.  I’m sure you’ve heard the saying “everything in moderation”.  That is completely true when it comes to lifestyle changes.  If you make too many changes all at once, you will be less likely to stick with it.

Also, keep in mind that the results of making healthy changes in your life will not be apparent right away.  Don’t let that discourage you.  Be patient with yourself.  Set small goals and appreciate any progress that you make.  And most importantly, don’t give up!

To see what your BMI (Body Mass Index) is, use this BMI Calculator.  It will tell you if you need to make some changes to reap the benefits of a healthy lifestyle.

For more information on the Benefits of Living a Healthy Lifestyle, consider watching this video.

  

References:

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