I forgot to mention my favorite — the I’m-just-going-to-stop-eating crash diet that always works. Well, duh, it works! You’re not only depriving your body of what nudges the scale up a mere 4 pounds but also crucial nutrients that allow it to function normally. Take it from someone who has lost 25 pounds the hard way — the best diet to go on is not going on one. Here’s what I mean:
To put it gently, I was not-so-athletic during middle and high school. I was always the one who whined and bitched about the pacer test and timed-mile days, begged her mom to let her drop soccer camp after the second day and would opt for a trip to Krispy Kreme over a local athletic facility any day. It wasn’t until my senior year of high school that this changed dramatically.
As embarrassing as this is, I definitely acquired a gym membership circa 2005 ... but it wasn’t until a boy I was crushing on suddenly appeared there one day that my attendance spiked significantly. When I found myself spending so much time there, I figured I might as well be productive, so I started actually working out. Even after the fling passed, I found myself feeling noticeably better. I slept like a baby most nights, I had so much more energy during the day and actually started to enjoy running for the first time in my life.
This encouraged me to make a lifestyle change to start eating better. As lame as it was, I would go home and do hours of research on WebMD and similar websites a week, looking into eating tips and tricks, myths and facts and workout advice. The one thing that I never anticipated was finding a recurring theme of anti-diet, portion-control recommendations. An overwhelming number of professionals emphasized the effectiveness of those who count calories but eat what they enjoy. Several physicians suggest avoiding cutting out things that you love eating from your normal diet. They say that this causes many people to overindulge when they finally do cut loose and prevents them from feeling satisfied on a day-to-day basis. Happy people are those who eat what they want but in moderation. Skipping meals (especially those at the beginning of the day) cause more harm than good, and it is always recommended to eat several small meals a day. Eat snacks that are satisfying, not those full of empty calories.
If you still feel like you need an extra push, this whole theory is the basis for Weight Watchers, one of the most successful weight-loss programs in existence. One of my best friends who now attends NYU has lost a total of 48 pounds since he started the program during the early years of high school, and I’m sure that loss is permanent. Don’t ever feel like you can’t do it, because with the right self-motivation and commitment, there’s nothing you can’t do. Trust me.
Here are some links you might find useful:
WebMD lists of Fitness Facts vs. Fiction
Calorie Count: a free online calorie counter program
And for fun:
(Yes, there are clearly some pretty crazy people out there.)
