Nobody would argue the point that the American diet is high in fat, sugar, and calories. It is no wonder all these fad diets have been popping up over the years, in fact, fad diets are turning into a billion dollar industry. You see them on commercials at night, you see them coming from fat burning supplement suppliers, and they have even moved into diets at your chiropractor’s office.
Not only will you waste a lot of time and money trying to lose weight this way, some of the diets and pills can actually make you worse. Take Ephedrine as an example. Ephedrine was a diet pill that became popular back in the 1990’s. It was prescribed to thousands of people that were looking for quick weight loss without exercise or diet change. It also caused heart attacks. It was removed from the market and outlawed. The side effects were unhealthy, at best, and sometimes deadly. People who have problems such as obesity or pain become easy prey for these types of fad diets and scams.
What is the easiest way to stay healthy and lose weight then? Sorry. There is no easy way to lose weight. It’s only easy to gain weight! You will have to exercise more, eat fewer calories than you burn, and limit the amount of junk food, fast food, pop, and empty calories you consume. Not just for 21, 40, or 90 days… every day. If someone is promising you that a diet with 600 calories and no exercise is healthy and nutritious they misinformed and dishonest. The fad diets are set up to fail. Starving your body will take off a certain amount of weight that will almost always be gained back immediately. Let’s be honest, who doesn’t want a piece of cake or a beer once in a while? Admittedly we should all eat more vegetables and lean fish. A high fat, high calorie diet won’t work for anyone, but your diet does need to contain enough fat and protein to sustain your body and your brain. Who wants to feel hungry and tired? If you feel miserable being overweight why pay a ridiculous amount of money to feel miserable on a diet? If you are suffering because your body and brain are literally being starved you are going down a potentially dangerous path. Besides, without treats we are all miserable. Your body needs sugar. There is nothing wrong with having a piece of birthday cake or an ice cream cone on a hot summer day. Moderation is important. Exercise is important. For people who do need to lose a significant amount of weight it is equally important that it does not come off at a dangerous pace like some of these diets and pills promise. Rapid weight loss is incredibly bad for your heart.
As for supplements, you probably should take a multiple vitamin to supplement your diet. Most of us could benefit from it. What you do not need is $300 a month worth of different types of supplements in all various forms. To be honest, it is just an easy way for the supplier to make money – most offices mark up 50-100%. You need to exercise more which means at least 30 minutes of vigorous exercise every other day. Do something that gets your heart rate up and makes you break a sweat.
If you have questions or concerns you can always call me directly at (269) 381-2200. You don’t need an appointment to ask questions. I am happy to help guide you in the healthiest direction!