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 .
no-contract cleaning service Glenview ..Step 1: Eat five to ten servings per day of... Read More
For a natural and tasty way to improve your health... Read More
Lactose is the primary carbohydrate in milk. Cow's milk contains... Read More
OK, no more excuses. Here's how to stop making everyone... Read More
Monosodium glutamate, commonly known as MSG, was thought of as... Read More
How well do you know about vitamin K? This vitamin... Read More
ABC News has recently focused on the possible anti-aging benefits... Read More
Salt does Not Cause High Blood Pressure. Some things you... Read More
Water is the single most important element for human existence,... Read More
The Food Pyramid, first introduced to the US in 1992,... Read More
Mango is my favorite fruit next to pineapples. They're sweet,... Read More
You know about Vitamins A,C, D, E ,and the B's... Read More
Have you ever watched someone who appears thin and healthy... Read More
Looking for an easy and natural way increase your vitality... Read More
I spent a few days at a resort in Mexico... Read More
Meal sizes and frequency are very important. Over the years... Read More
1. Water. If you're thirsty you're already dehydrated. The majority... Read More
It is not a myth. Eating breakfast is an important... Read More
A fictional overheard conversation at a Thelma's Fine Dining.Hi, I'm... Read More
Creating Your Target is easy.What I use to help create... Read More
Originally, all foods were "organic" ? grown and prepared without... Read More
Glucosamine is readily produced in the human body and is... Read More
Mineral nutritionSearching for mineral nutrition information is much easier today... Read More
Glowing skin comes free of charge to you. Our simple... Read More
"The physician who knows only medicine, knows not even medicine."... Read More
house cleaning company Glencoe ..The most incredible thing you can do for yourself is... Read More
Step 1: Eat five to ten servings per day of... Read More
DeathDeath. Why it happens? Why do we die? Why do... Read More
Many people experience unpleasant reactions to foods they have eaten... Read More
Dr. Barry Sears revolutionized nutritional thinking around the world with... Read More
Green tea has been used as for medical remedies in... Read More
Bye Bye HolidaysHoping everyone had a fun, fantastic, exciting and... Read More
Our bodies are truly incredible machines. What makes cells healthy?... Read More
This is such a busy time of year, isn't it?... Read More
Random thoughts taken from valuable sources, what many nutrition experts... Read More
Everyone can benefit from understanding how food affects our... Read More
Salt does Not Cause High Blood Pressure. Some things you... Read More
Dieters who dejectedly complain they are figuratively "stuck" with their... Read More
The key to good hydration is drinking a lot of... Read More
The Omega Zone Diet and specialists' opinion"Omega RX Zone -... Read More
Media coverage of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) has incited... Read More
Enzymes are the workers in our body that make everything... Read More
Quick Overview- I think the most important thing for people... Read More
Did you know the average American gains 5-7 pounds every... Read More
Beverages - and not just alcohol - are a significant... Read More
Whether you're concerned about cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, or simply... Read More
I don't understand people sometimes. You know, there is a... Read More
The word cholesterol has become synonymous with poor health. Indeed,... Read More
Nutrition has everything to do with health. This isn't news,... Read More
Great news on the chocolate front! Chocolate is good for... Read More
Nutrition |