1. No Magic Bullet
People are always looking for shortcuts and easier ways of accomplishing goals. When it comes to your health a shortcut is not a good idea. That is what fad diets are--an opportunity to skip regular exercise and eating sensibly. There are no magic diets which will suddenly make you thin and trim forever. Some diets work in the short-term, but it is unrealistic and unhealthy to stay on these fad diets for an extended period. When these diets are over the weight will return.
2. Too Much Too Fast
Nutrition experts agree that any weight loss greater than two pounds per week is unhealthy. One of the reasons is that during weight loss a dieter can lose muscle as well as fat if she drops weight too quickly. Losing muscle is never a good an idea no matter the circumstances. Fad diets often tout their rapid weight loss but do not highlight negatives such as muscle loss.
3. Change Your Life
Most fad diets offer some eating choices that are simply not realistic for an extended period. Proper and permanent weight loss will not happen if you do not change your lifestyle and daily eating patterns for good. For instance, instead of going on that fad diet, make a daily eating journal and examine the nutrition choices you make. Then find a healthy fruit or vegetable that you enjoy and substitute it for an unhealthy food from the food journal. Learn how to live healthy, not diet correctly.
4. Not All Diets Are Fads
Some diets are based on sound nutrition and exercise plans, but they are few and far between. It is important to be able to tell the difference. If the diet offers unrealistic or fantastic claims, it is a fad diet. In addition, if the diet offers to teach you how to "trick" your body into losing weight, it is most likely a fad diet. Good diets combine sensible and healthy eating with proper exercise to shed those pounds. Any eating plan that restricts any needed vitamin or mineral source is not valid.
5. It's All About You
Losing weight with a fad diet will not change who you are. It will only change how you look and how your clothes fit. Understanding how and why you feel the way you do about yourself will go a long way towards keeping weight off permanently.
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