A few things make me annoyed. Okay, maybe more than a few.
But the recent surge in the weight-loss programs, detox supplements, and magic tricks making you lose weight in no time, it's outrageous. And here's why...
Imagine that you see a "lose 10kg in a month" type of gimmick. First of all, it's usually posted by someone who:
claims to have lost twice as much weight (not necessarily true, and not necessarily healthy)
won a genetic lottery, and makes money showing off her/his half-naked body
has great photoshop skills; plays well with the lighting, and wears clothes 2 sizes bigger to appear smaller,
etc...
You are impressed, so you join the fad diet and/or purchase the product they're trying to sell.
What happens next? Something no one ever tells you is bound to happen.
You go mad forcing yourself to stick to the recommended plan:
You starve yourself.
You become obsessed with foods that you can no longer consume.
You want to vomit daily from all the recommended weight-loss shakes and supplements.
You sh*t your pants every couple of hours because most of the weight-loss supplements are filled with great amounts of fiber (which makes you poop, and unclog your bowel, hence the sudden "amazing weight-loss effect").
You spend tons of money on the marketed product. Which in reality, again, is nothing but the fiber that makes you poop. (While instead, you could get the same results for free, from fresh fruits & veggies, or added spoon of flaxseed, chia seed, or psyllium husk. Any of which would cost you pennies in the grocery store.)
You develop a terrible relationship with food.
You're starting to resent yourself for not being able to stick to the plan.
Instead of blaming your ripped weight-loss guru, you blame yourself. For not being good enough, for not being committed enough, for not working hard enough. "Because she/he "made it" so it has to work" - you think. There must be something wrong with you instead.
After weeks of frustrations, failures, and disappointments, you give up. You go back to your habits of binge eating, stress eating, overeating.
You feel worst than you did before starting the "program."
Well, the truth is, programs like this are designed to fail. They are effing impossible to follow, and they promise results that are unreal, not sustainable at all, and in most cases, based on lies.
People selling quick weight loss tricks don't care about your health and whether you will succeed or not. They want you to spend your hard-earned dollars. What happens later doesn't bother them. Sometimes, if somehow you manage to pull through and lose some weight, they will use you for the "before & after" photos. But what's going to happen in a year? In 5 years? In 20 years?
Are you still going to be on a diet? Are you still going to eat those weight-loss and detox supplements? I doubt it.
I have met hundreds of people in my career, who worked their butts off and lost the weight just to come back after years, saying that they don't know what happened. The weight is back, sometimes double the amount.
I can tell you what happened. They wanted it too fast, too much, too soon.
According to CDC, "people who lose weight gradually and steadily (about 1 to 2 pounds per week are more successful at keeping weight off." That means 4-8 pounds or 2-4kg per month.
Of course, losing more weight than that is possible. It all depends on the body composition and many other factors. However, if your weight-loss strategy makes you feel nauseous, weak, lethargic, and your overall health has taken a toll, it isn't a good sign.
If you lose a significant amount of weight with no reason in particular and no changes in your routine, you should see your physician as soon as possible. Many underlying diseases can cause rapid weight loss, so it's a good idea to rule it out before you celebrate the "big drop on the scale."
No matter the approach, while trying to lose weight, your overall health should not be affected, and your energy levels should be adequate.
What to do next? Simple. Instead of focusing on your body weight and obsessing about every gram that goes up and down, focus on your overall well-being. Shift your attention to creating new, healthier, and more sustainable habits. Find ways to enjoy physical activity and get creative in the kitchen.
Once you understand what your body needs, you will know how to take care of it well. Then you can toss all the fad diets and quick weight loss tricks into the trash. You will be able to enjoy a healthy weight and a healthy body for the rest of your life.
Commentaires