Diets don't work. If they did the U.S. of A. would be the thinnest, trimmest nation in the world, with over 40 million Americans spending billions each year on weight loss products. In fact, the opposite is true. The Center for Disease Control claims that at least 65% of adults are overweight or obese. With the growing list of woes associated with obesity, including heart disease, high blood pressure, and diabetes, the weight problem in America has become a serious concern. Yet we continue to look to fad diets as the answer to this serious problem - as if living on bacon and eggs, cabbage soup, or low-calorie meal replacement drinks could ever be construed as a healthy solution.
A review of popular diet programs conducted by the University of Pennsylvania and published in the Annals of Internal Medicine, stated that most weight loss programs offered little or no proof that participants were successful in loosing weight or keeping weight off in the long run. The U.S. Federal Trade Commission has stated that of the millions of people that diet, less than 5% of those who actually loose weight will be able to keep it off in the years to come. It has been surmised that a dieter may shed approximately 100 pounds in the course of a lifetime, but gain back 120 lbs. One benefit of weight loss organizations, however, was group support. Dieters who joined support groups appeared to loose more weight than those who decided to go it alone.
Fad diets themselves bring with them a plethora of health concerns. Restrictive low calorie diets can be self-defeating. The body's metabolism slows moving the system into energy conservation mode and holding on to every calorie for future use instead of burning it. Precious muscle mass is broken down, and low lethargy occurs. Low carbohydrate diets can result in dehydration and constipation. The risk of heart disease is escalated due to the increase of bad cholesterol found in animal fats. When nutritional integrity of the body is threatened due to the elimination of a particular food group, the dieter is at risk for many health problems including osteoporosis, certain types of cancers, immune system issues, electrolyte imbalances, and eating disorders. And with diets, as opposed to permanent lifestyle changes, the probability of gaining back what you have lost, and then some, is high.
In a culture obsessed with physical perfection perhaps we must evaluate how we think about weight in general. Are we dieting to be healthy, or just thin? If the later is the objective, then further investigation into dieting motivation may be necessary, but if health is the ultimate goal, then looking at lifestyle changes may the place to start. Are you an emotional eater, have a compulsive sweet tooth, or someone who eats out of boredom? Do you eat fresh foods or only things that come in a box, bag, or through a drive-up window? What is the overall condition of your health? Is your lifestyle sedentary or active? What type of physical activities do you enjoy? Questions like these help you build the foundation for creating a customized Non-Diet Diet - a common sense plan for living that will result weight loss, elevated energy levels, and improved health and well-being.
Quick fixes usually result in long term failures, and while the answer to America's weight problem may not come in the form of a magic diet, it need not be extremely complicated either. Maintaining a sensible meal plan, including complex carbohydrates, lean proteins, good fats, fruit and vegetables, and sweets in moderation, exercising regularly, and maintaining a healthy attitude regarding the weight/health connection may be the simple answer you've been looking for.
Deborah Martin is a writer, life coach, and co-founder of The Woman Project. For more information regarding her Non-Diet Diet and other programs visit her website at http://www.dreamlearncreate.com .
trusted cleaning company Bannockburn ..The latest tallies show that over three million people in... Read More
The dangers of processed foods and diets Why is that... Read More
What is the Atkins diet and how can it help... Read More
It is often taken as a given fact that soy... Read More
While oxygen is the key to human survival, it is... Read More
THE RISKWhen you consume food that's high in acid or... Read More
In large part, you're in control of your health, not... Read More
THE RISKNo doubt you've heard of the increasingly popular "raw... Read More
How Can... Read More
Your fiber intake is a critical factor in weight loss... Read More
The body is a marvelous creation, a carbon, oxygen combustion... Read More
Are you concerned about taking care of your body before... Read More
For any kid who grew up eating doughy, thick Wonder... Read More
If you have high cholesterol, the American Heart Association's low-cholesterol,... Read More
Apart from eating many of the wonderful vegetables and fruits... Read More
Proper hydration is extremely important during exercise. Adequate fluid intake... Read More
Nature works mostly on the principle of thing and no... Read More
During a recent discussion with my father about low carb... Read More
There seems to be fairly poor tracking by any formal... Read More
With the release of the new dietary guidelines, in the... Read More
You know about Vitamins A,C, D, E ,and the B's... Read More
Food nutrition factsFinding food nutrition facts and dietary nutrition used... Read More
Food addiction isn't a problem. Pretending like you can't live... Read More
Acid reflux disease, or GERD, is a common compliant of... Read More
I had finally come to a place in my life... Read More
luxury cleaning services Lake Forest ..Better sleep = better metabolism. I have been saying it... Read More
High Fructose Corn SyrupBefore we get to high fructose corn... Read More
Nuts of all kinds (I am talking peanuts, cashews etc)... Read More
The key to better health is learning the difference between... Read More
1. Enjoy what you eatWhether someone is following the Atkins... Read More
You are what you eat is a simple, time tested... Read More
Mannatech's patent-pending glyconutrients complex, Ambrotose, is perhaps the greatest wellness... Read More
How Can... Read More
Can the colors on your plate tell you what health... Read More
Magnesium is an important mineral that serves numerous essential functions... Read More
About 12.6 million Americans currently have heart disease.1.1 million Americans... Read More
Is the thrill gone? Has the thrill gone out of... Read More
I'm going to be a bit radical here, but know... Read More
People want to get the very best they can when... Read More
With so much 'diet advice' around today it is little... Read More
Following a diet program of any sort can sometimes be... Read More
FOOD (Macro-nutrients)One of the most important aspects of hill walking... Read More
For those of us that understand nutrition and it's importance... Read More
Fibromyalgia is a chronic and potentially life-altering disorder with symptoms... Read More
Food nutrition factsFinding food nutrition facts and dietary nutrition used... Read More
We sometimes hear about ways that we can take care... Read More
I am sure you have heard you have to build... Read More
Many low carb dieters fall victim to "carb creep," which... Read More
Come on, guys and gals. Those Trix are for kids.And... Read More
Headlines:Nearly a quarter of American adults just got diagnosed with... Read More
Nutrition |