Are Quick Weight Loss Programs and Healthy Diets Contradictory - 2008-Apr-22
We're now well on way to summer, and if you are like many other Americans, you had a New Year's Resolution to start on a healthy weight loss program. Typically, we go for the gusto, trying to change everything at once and, of course, hoping for instant results.
Statistics show Americans spend $30 billion to $50 billion annually in the weight-loss industry on products that claim to "burn fat while you sleep;" help lose weight without exercise;" and "safely lose 20 pounds in 20 days." The truth is there is no "quick and easy" way to lose weight safely.
So how can you tell if a product or service is worth the money?
The American Dietetic Association suggests consumers steer away from products that make the following claims:
- Claims or implies a large or fast weight loss (more than one to two pounds per week)
- Implies weight can be lost and maintained without exercise and other lifestyle changes.
- Is described as miraculous, a breakthrough, exclusive, ancient...
- Relies heavily on undocumented case histories, before and after photos and testimonials.
- Is sold by self-proclaimed health advisers or "nutritionists."
Avoid the fads. If a diet sounds to good to be true, it probably is just that. There are no fat-burning foods. There is no way to melt pounds while you sleep, and there is certainly no safe way to lose 20 pounds in 20 days.
If you do lose weight that quickly, most of that is water and muscle, not fat as we are lead to believe.
In truth, some diet products may even be dangerous for you.
How To Avound Ups and Downs of Dieting
About 90 percent of dieters regain the weight they lose. Any diet that involves reducing calories may result in weight loss. However, making that quick weight loss permanent involves modifying your eating behaviors.
Research shows that dieting is not a very effective treatment for long-term weight loss. One of the side effects of dieting may actually be weight gain! Your body stores unspent calories as fat until you absolutely need it for survival. The weight you lose initially by dieting comes from muscle and water, not from taping into your fat reserves.
Because muscle requires calories for survival, greatly reducing caloric intake will break down muscle mass, in turn slowing your metabolism. Most people do not stay on a "diet" permanently, and return to eating "normally." Because your metabolism has slowed, you gain the weight back faster and as fat! So, as a result of dieting, you have actually made yourself fatter.
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