"No thanks, I'm on a diet"
Whenever we hear someone say this, it's usually accompanied by glum looks and a gesture of despair. It's normal to think of dieting as some kind of punishment, isn't it? It has to be hard, it has to be a grind... otherwise you can't be taking it seriously! It's ingrained in our culture that 'going on a diet' is something undesirable, even nasty.
Or so we're led to believe by all the media hype surrounding the unhealthy dieting fads that are so common these days. Detox, cabbage soup, melon only, Atkins... The list goes on and on. These are what some people call 'desperation diets'. They're certainly not appealing and you're not going to enjoy them, but they're going to 'do you good'.
But will they?
You could soon be encouraged when you notice the pounds falling off. However, there's a downside. Records indicate that not only do most folks abandon these dieting fads, but they quickly return to their undesirable eating habits. Hardly surprising! Grapefruit and cabbage soup are boring, and it must only be a matter of time before you lose heart.
I Want It Now!
Part of the problem is that 'We want it all, we want it now'. We've become so used to instant results and instant gratification. Not surprising, then, that we apply the same principles to our dieting. Are we disgusted by our flab? Are our health restrictions getting us down? Right! Let's deal with them. Now! Deep down we know there could be health risks, but the ads are so appealing, they promise so much - and we're even prepared to pay for the instant, but unhealthy, dieting plans we secretly know won't work.
Some folks even opt for stomach bypass surgery, that's how desperate they are for quick results. Even though this procedure was designed for extremely obese patients, they will ignore their doctor's advice and go for private treatment.
Are There Alternatives to Unhealthy Dieting?
The tendency to bury our heads in the sand is a very human trait - and it's one that many dieters are prone to! Let's be up front and face the facts. In order to acquire the shapely, healthy body of your dreams you need to do two things over a period of time. One is to nourish your body with the correct amount of foods from the different food groups so that you meet your needs. The other is to engage in moderate physical activity.
Hold on, this is not necessarily bad news! Forget the diets that stick to one thing. You can indulge your passions. There's no need to feel deprived. As long as you have a regulated plan and stick to it, you'll feel great - and your health and weight will be fine.
So wave goodbye to all those unhealthy dieting plans and the physical and emotional pain that accompany them. Say hello and welcome to a new shape, better health, higher self-esteem, improved moods and emotional well being. Yes, you can enjoy that cookie or piece of chocolate, so long as you know you're sticking to your plan and taking moderate exercise. Unhealthy dieting plans! Who needs them?
Frank McGinty
Before starting any diet plan, make sure you steer clear of unhealthy dieting by checking out Frank McGinty's free weight loss report. And there are lots of excellent resources for you at his site, including a Weight Loss Formula article.
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