With the rapid development of technology, we live in an era where social media is booming. With airbrushed models everywhere, many of us begin to feel insecure and look for drastic, temporary fixes, such as dieting. College kids can in particular fall victim to this, since many of us often forget to take care of ourselves. Due to our busy schedule, extreme diets are often seen as the best alternative to weight loss since they are a quick fix.
It is no doubt that dieting is a huge culture in America. According to Time Magazine, Americans spend sixty-six billion a year on dieting and other weight loss products. Almost half of US adults are currently on a diet, according to the US Centers of Disease Control and Prevention. However, less than 5 percent of dieters have confirmed their diets have actually worked in the long run, and America still remains on the top list of obesity.
Why is that despite our constant dieting and investment in weight loss products, nothing is changing? Diets such as, Keto, baby food, grapefruit, and water fasts all may make you lose weight, however, the effects are not lasting and are often detrimental to one’s long-term health.
Dieting causes something called the yo-yo effect, which means while you might lose a couple pounds quickly, you will certainly regain it all back, along with a few extra pounds in most cases. Over ninety percent of Americans experience this, and this yo-yo effect has negative side effects on your body, such as slowing down your metabolism.
Some might try the baby food diet for instance, which involves consuming baby food to lose weight, which is pureed vegetables, meat, fruit, etc. This type of food does not contain an agreeable amount of nutrition for adults, leaving us hungrier and unsatisfied. Grapefruit diet includes eating a grapefruit with every meal, and basically allows for no other carbs, which is very restrictive. The water diet just consists of drinking water straight, added with some fruits, which is just a bad idea overall and something no one should ever do. Keto is an extremely low carb diet (under twenty grams), and while it is popular to do due to reports of significant weight loss, it is not entirely recommended to follow since carbs are essential for energy and needed for your daily nutrients.
So, what’s the real secret to weight loss? Well it’s simple: it’s to live a healthier life, gradually. Though it might not be what you want to hear, the people who lose weight and keep it off are the ones who let go of the “diet” mindset and start making overall life changes. This might include replacing your soda with water, going out for a daily thirty-minute walk, and cutting back on sweets. Developing good habits is key, and making sure to be realistic with yourself is necessary! These fad diets give us unrealistic expectations with a time frame, but in reality, good things take time to come. If you’re losing weight quickly, you are likely losing muscle mass and water weight. Besides, it’s boring sticking to a restrictive diet and eating the same old thing! Formulating your own plan that works for you will give you the best results overall.
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