If they did the U.S. of A. would be
the thinnest, trimmest nation in the world, with over 40 million
Americans spending billions each year on weight loss products.
In fact, the opposite is true. The Center for Disease Control
claims that at least 65% of adults are overweight or obese.
With the growing list of woes associated with obesity, including
heart disease, high blood pressure, and diabetes, the weight
problem in America has become a serious concern. Yet we continue
to look to fad diets as the answer to this serious problem
- as if living on bacon and eggs, cabbage soup, or low-calorie
meal replacement drinks could ever be construed as a healthy
solution.
.Fad diets themselves bring with them a plethora of health
concerns. Restrictive low calorie diets can be self-defeating.
The body's metabolism slows moving the system into energy
conservation mode and holding on to every calorie for future
use instead of burning it. Precious muscle mass is broken
down, and low lethargy occurs. Low carbohydrate diets can
result in dehydration and constipation. The risk of heart
disease is escalated due to the increase of bad cholesterol
found in animal fats. When nutritional integrity of the body
is threatened due to the elimination of a particular food
group, the dieter is at risk for many health problems including
osteoporosis, certain types of cancers, immune system issues,
electrolyte imbalances, and eating disorders. And with diets,
as opposed to permanent lifestyle changes, the probability
of gaining back what you have lost, and then some, is high.
In a culture obsessed with physical perfection perhaps we
must evaluate how we think about weight in general. Are we
dieting to be healthy, or just thin? If the later is the objective,
then further investigation into dieting motivation may be
necessary, but if health is the ultimate goal, then looking
at lifestyle changes may the place to start. Are you an emotional
eater, have a compulsive sweet tooth, or someone who eats
out of boredom? Do you eat fresh foods or only things that
come in a box, bag, or through a drive-up window? What is
the overall condition of your health? Is your lifestyle sedentary
or active? What type of physical activities do you enjoy?
Questions like these help you build the foundation for creating
a customized Non-Diet Diet - a common sense plan for living
that will result weight loss, elevated energy levels, and
improved health and well-being.
About The Author- Deborah Martin is a writer,
life coach, and co-founder of The Woman Project. For more
information regarding her Non-Diet Diet and other programs
visit her website at www.dreamlearncreate.com.
