Fitness and Exercise for Women

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Fad Diets

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Should You Ever Go on a Fad Diet?

Cabbage soup, Master Cleanse, Grapefruit…these are among some of the most popular crash or fad diets that promise to quickly shed those unwanted pounds. A crash diet can really consist of any food. There have been crash diets from eating only bananas to eggs. Most people will go through this painstakingly boring diet so that they can shed a few pounds in a short period of time.

Each time after losing the 5 – 10 pounds – unhealthily I may add, I vow that this will be the “last time” that I go through this. This time will be different. I will turn the page on my old eating habits, establish new habits, and never have to worry about my weight again.

But of course, the inevitable happens…you find that you are actually surpassing the length of time that you veered off track before and you think that you have won the war…and then…it happens…you have that piece cake or that bag of potato chips that you were proudly avoiding for so long. This one simple act seems to trigger the insatiable cravings you thought were a thing of the past. Need I say more…? We then start the process over again…

This is frustrating because when you lose weight from a fad diet, you may be thinner, but because the weight was lost too quickly and not in a healthy manner, the pounds are going to return and they may bring some friends along also. The lesson that we all need to learn from this is that fad diets are a quick fix and unless you break the cycle of bad habits, the weight will return.

Many of these diets claim to be “detox” or internal cleansing diets. The Master Cleanse Diet is meant to rid your body of toxins. For 10 days, you drink a kicked up lemonade mixture prepared with distilled water, lemons, maple syrup and cayenne pepper. (Click here for more details on the Master Cleanse Diet). This diet received renewed attention when Beyonce used it to lose weight for her role in ‘Dream Girls.’ There are two schools of thought on detox diets. Many believe that they are hazardous to your health and that the body should not be deprived of food for extended periods of time. Others argue that detoxifying your body is the best way to rid your body of toxins, combat certain illnesses, and jumpstart a healthier lifestyle.

I fall somewhere in the middle. I believe from experience that the body can withstand extended periods of time without food if it is not done too often. This is strictly my opinion. I have fasted for both spiritual and physical reasons for up to 7 days. Getting through the first 3 days was the hardest but after that, it became easier. I started to feel a little weak going into the third and fourth days and I have not always made it to the end. I gradually begin eating again with light soups, cooked vegetables, eggs – something soft. You never want to break a fast with heavy food. Another thing that occurs is that your throat seems to constrict and it may hurt initially to swallow.

When I go on the Master Cleanse or the Cabbage Soup Diet, I have done it to break bad habits that I have developed. I wanted to rid myself of craving sweets, caffeine and alcohol (the sweet drinks – pina coladas, margaritas). After several days of not eating, these cravings do subside and the thought of eating any of the “bad food” repulses me. I am then able to begin eating the right foods and actually look forward to it.

Looking for a healthy diet that you maintain as a lifestyle?

Do you love fruits and vegetables?
Do you love fish?
Do are you a red wine
Do you snack on nuts?
Do you eat red periodically?
Do you always use olive oil and canola oil?

If so, the Mediterranean diet may be the perfect diet for you!

According to the Mayo Clinic, this diet has been found to lower the risk of deaths resulting from heart disease and cancer, for those women (and men) who followed a Mediterranean diet.

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Fad diets by design are meant to take pounds off quickly with little regard to nutrition. If you are going to go on a crash diet, use it as a way to wipe the slate clean and begin a healthier lifestyle. If you can focus on developing new habits and becoming more fit, a fad diet can be the jolt needed to jumpstart overall good health.

You should always consult a doctor before going on any kind of diet or fasting program.