5 Tips to avoid New Year’s diet fads
Losing weight and is one of the most common New Year’s resolutions. For the diet industry, this is an opportune time to make money. Before the new year ever starts there is an increase of diet related advertising through TV, social media and magazines. How do you know which products are legitimate and which are just fads taking advantage of new year hype? To avoid wasting your money and time on ineffective products, we’ve created this guideline to help you avoid a New Year’s diet fad.
Guideline 1: If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is
Anything that is advertised as “guaranteed” to make you lose 20 lbs in 20 days (or something similar) is definitely a money grab, and will not give you the results you want. There is no program or diet that will help you lose weight that quickly and if it does, you are putting your health at serious risk. Slow, sustainable weight loss is the only way to make permanent change in your body composition and your health. There is no “secret” - do not fall prey to these catchy headlines.
Guideline 2: Avoid all pills, potions, and other weight loss “enhancers”
No pill or supplement used in isolation will help you permanently lose weight. There is no substitute for consistent exercise and a healthy diet. There are literally thousands of fat burners, carb blockers, appetite suppressants and other pills on the market that are useless when it comes to weight loss and also a big waste of money. If they really worked, we’d see a lot more results, a lot less dieting and there would be no need to keep inventing new products! Besides being expensive, these supplements are often poorly regulated so it’s hard to know for sure what is in them. Always be cautious of what you are putting your body and when in doubt don’t risk it. Stay away from mystery supplement and instead spend your money on a good quality food.
Guideline 3: Cleanses, body wraps and other detox product don’t work
Skinny teas, cleanses, and other detox products are another diet gimmick that needs be avoided. The idea that there are large amounts of “toxins” or waste products build up in your system is simply not true. Your liver is designed to naturally filter out harmful substances, and your intestinal lining sloughs off regularly (just like your skin!) preventing any kind of waste accumulation. More often than not, these products have a laxative affect and do not contribute to any actual weight loss.
Guideline 4: No single exercise will spot reduce body-fat
Be wary of any fitness program or “weird trick” claiming to tone, tighten, or spot reduce fat in one area. You will not see an increase in muscle definition in one area without reducing your overall body fat percentage. For example, crunches alone will not magically give you a six pack. Only combined with a highly nutritious diet and cardiovascular activity will you begin to see results in those areas.
Guideline 5: Avoid anything that seems bizarre or just down right wrong
The baby food, blood type, master cleanse, and cabbage soup diet are sure to make you feel miserable and unhealthy this year. These are just a few examples, but the list of bad diet fads goes on. Use your common sense and say no to any diet or meal plan that asks you to take bizarre or extreme measures to see results. None of them are worth the risk to your body and mental health! Remember, for real results you don’t need to follow any specific or strict meal plan. Just focus on eating healthy, nourishing meal and let your body do the rest.
