The Word "Diet" Shouldn't Exist

When you hear the word diet you usually associate it with positive things such as weight loss, happiness, improved body image, etc. However, I’m here to tell you that diets shouldn’t exist and are by far the worst things a person who is trying to lose weight can do. I’m confident in saying that 100% of the diets we see on television, the internet, magazines, and newspapers are all money making scams that truly aren’t healthy at all for anyone. Lets break down two of the most popular diets out there.

1. The Atkins Diet- Activates ketosis. Ketosis occurs whenever the body lacks a sufficient supply of carbohydrates, a prime source of energy. During ketosis, carbohydrate depleted metabolisms turn to other sources, including ketones from stored fat or protein, to satisfy daily energy needs. Ketosis is one of the body's last-ditch emergency responses and deliberately inducing ketosis can lead to muscle breakdown, nausea, dehydration, headaches, light-headedness, irritability, and kidney problems. Finally, nothing about the Atkins diet encourages the dieter to learn some very basic weight management strategies like portion control and serving sizes, let alone develop the skills necessary for a lifetime of balanced nutrition. DIET DEBUNKED!

1. Weight Watchers Diet- No need to go into detail on this one. Basically the weight watchers diet consists of weekly meetings with healthcare “professionals” and they will give you a nutrtion plan using the point system. For example steak is worth more points than a bowl of fruit. However this plan and point system isn’t applicable to real life situations. Everyone I’ve known on this diet lost weight in a good amount of time and then as soon as they stopped, BOOM! They gained their weight back and then some! DIET DEBUNKED!

If a you see a diet being advertised and promising you that you’ll drop 50 pounds in 30 days, pass, it’s bogus! All of these companies out there are using big name celebrities to get you to believe that it really does work. When in reality when the camera is off that “star” is making a trip to the bathroom to get rid of her lunch. I don’t want it to seem as if I’m against nutritional advice and plans, but the word “diet” makes me cringe everytime I hear someone use it in a sentence. “Oh I lost 20 pounds in 3 weeks on this diet”. Yeah, well too bad it’s not sustainable and in reality you’re going to put that weight back on and then some. Diets aren't realistic and in fact aren’t healthy for your body at all. Weight just doesn’t come off in weeks or even months. If you truly care about your body and want to lose weight, you must make a lifestyle change. You have to decide whether or not you want to eat healthy. Not just for a few weeks at a time, but for the rest of your life. You’ll see your weight drop, don’t worry. A rule of thumb I’ve learned taking some of the best nutrition and health classes at Springfield College and having some of the best nutritional and strength coaches, is a healthy weight loss goal is 1-2 pounds a week to start off. A lifestyle change isn’t a sprint ladies and gentlemen, it’s a lifelong marathon. The real question is are you willing to take the first step?