Fad diets are not fun

*Disclaimer:  This post is strictly based on my personal opinion.  Others may not agree with it and that is their opinion.  I am simply sharing mine J

Have you ever tried a fad diet?  If you are like most people who are trying to lose weight (myself included), you probably have tried one at some point.  Fad diets are diets that are usually used for short-term, rapid weight loss and they come in all different types.  Most of these diets, however, do not have much regard for nutrition or potentially negative consequences.  It is also not uncommon for people who lose weight on a fad diet to regain that weight once they go back to eating regularly or normally.  If you can't already tell, I'm not a big fan of fad diets.  

One reason I'm not a big fan of fad diets is that many fad diets are not nutritionally sound.  While a person may lose weight quickly on the diet, it is possible that they are not eating enough calories or getting enough nutrients.  By not getting enough nutritional support, your body may end up suffering internally and not being able to perform at an optimal or even adequate level.  

A second reason is that many people who lose weight using a fad diet usually end up regaining it back.  Most people who use a fad diet often do not develop the proper mindset or make the needed permanent changes in their eating habits to maintain that weight loss.  In fact, it is also possible that people who rely on fad diets to lose weight may actually develop poorer eating patterns, such as consuming not enough calories or not eating a variety of foods, and that could have a negative impact on the body in the long term.

A third reason that fad diets are not a good thing to do when trying to lose weight is that some of these diets can be dangerous or have negative consequences including health wise.  For example, I remember reading about a person whose skin turned orange after doing a fad diet where they were supposed to eat primarily orange colored foods such as carrots.  Depending on the severity or outrageousness of the fad diet, a person does not even need to be on it for a long period of time before it can negatively affect their body.

Even though I could probably lose weight faster by using a fad diet (like I have in the past), I made myself commit to losing weight in a more healthier manner this time.  I am also trying to make sure I develop the right mindset to maintain my weight loss, which is something I have not been able to do in the past using fad diets.  If you decide that you would still benefit from doing a fad diet, I recommend that you do some research and find a diet that is not too extreme.  I would also advise to not use the diet for a long time period and to make sure you still take the time to develop an overall healthier eating pattern and lifestyle changes to sustain your weight loss.  For readers who are still trying to choose a diet plan, I hope to do another blog entry soon with some "red flags" to look out for being making a decision, but in the meantime, good luck and stay positive! 

Motivational Monday

I like this motivational motto because it reminds us that even if your weight loss goal seems like a thousand miles away, one step in the right direction brings you one step closer to your goal.  Remember that any little positive "step,"whether it is saying "no" to eating unneeded candy or literally aiming to walk at least 10,000 steps a day, over the course of time will eventually add up and can make a big difference in your weight loss progress.  Good luck and stay positive!

ChEAT days-Love them or leave them?

*Disclaimer:  This post is strictly based on my personal opinion.  Others may not agree with it and that is their opinion.  I am simply sharing mine J

 

When it comes to trying to lose weight, how bad is it to have a “cheat day?”  I am not one for deprivation so for me personally, I try to follow an 80/20 rule when it comes to weight loss.  My personal interpretation of this rule is that if I am doing what I am supposed to be doing with diet and exercise 80% of the week, then I don’t feel as guilty if I end up indulging one “cheat day” during that week.  Now when I say indulging with a “cheat day”, I don’t mean that I can eat anything and everything in sight that day with no regards to my weight loss efforts.  It is more like I can either have a dessert, enjoy a meal out, or give in to a “guilty pleasure” that day-all in moderation, which is the main key.  This method may not work for everyone but I feel it allows me to still have control over my weight loss efforts without feeling like I am completely depriving myself while trying to lose weight.  If you feel that a “cheat day” helps or hurts your weight loss progress, feel free to let me know.  Otherwise, I hope everyone out there is doing well.  Good luck and remember to stay positive!

Quick Update

Hi everyone!  I'm sorry for the lack of posts this past month.  Between work, family, and other things, I have been very busy life wise (which I'm sure many of the readers out there can relate to).  However, I haven't forgotten about this blog nor have I stopped my weight loss efforts in the very least.  My weight loss progress still remains slow but steady, which I will admit can be a little frustrating at times.  However, I try to remind myself to stay positive and that progress is still progress no matter how small.  And even though the pounds on the scale are slowly moving, I do continue to see a difference in how my clothes are fitting (I don't want to buy any new clothing until I get closer to my first big goal weight since I plan to reward myself with a new outfit).  I hope all of you are continuing to do well also and I will try to be more consistent with posting entries here.  Until next time, good luck and remember to stay positive!

Tool Tuesday!-Blender Ball

For patients who like to use protein powder and make protein shakes, one tool that they and I  have found to be useful is a "blender ball" bottle.  While "blender ball" is a particular brand, you could honestly use any similar type product that works for you.  A "blender ball" bottle is typically a bottle with a screw on lid that comes with a little metal whisk-like ball.  With the ball in the bottle, you basically pour in the amount of desired liquid, such as water, and then your powder.  It also has numbers on one side in case you have a specific amount you need for your shake.  You then make sure the closed lid is on securely and shake the bottle until all the ingredients are mixed completely and you get the desired consistency.  This tool is handy because you don't have to fumble with a spoon to mix your ingredients together.  You can  just put them in the bottle, screw the lid on, and shake to mix it as you go.

Motivational Motto Monday

This quote is really motivational to me because it makes me realize that if I truly want to accomplish a particular task or goal, then I have to make the time to work on achieving it.  I know that making time for certain things, like exercising or eating healthier, can be easier said than done considering how busy and hectic our everyday lives may already be for most of us.  However, I know if I truly want to lose weight, I will have to find the time to fit in the needed exercise as well as prepare healthier food choices and meals.  Since losing weight is truly important to me, I'm going to really focus on this motto and remember that I need to find a way, find the time, not find an excuse!  I hope you all are doing well in your weight loss efforts.  Keep up the good work and good luck!

How are you doin'?

Hello everyone!  I hope you all had a wonderful 4th of July and are doing well in general.  I don't know if it's just me but this year seems to be flying by and I can't believe it is already practically the middle of July!  I just wanted to touch base and let you all know how I am doing weight loss wise.  I am about 15 pounds down from my highest weight since starting my personal weight loss regimen and my next "mini" goal is to lose another 5 pounds by the middle of August.  In order to help me achieve this goal, I have decided to work on three areas for the next few weeks.  My top three "target areas" (don't be surprised if they look pretty familiar to you-haha) for the rest of this month and for August are as follows:

1) Reduce eating out during the work week-In the past, my coworker and I would go out to eat lunch on almost a daily basis.  Recently, however, we have tried to really cut back on it not just to help reduce calories but to reduce spending as well.  We now try to only go out for lunch on Mondays and the rest of the week, we bring lunch to work.  Whenever I do go out to eat, I still try to follow my "tips and tricks" that I mentioned in one of my previous entries to help me make healthier food choices at restaurants.
2) Increase my amount of exercise-Because of my busy schedule these past few months, it has been really difficult for me to have a consistent weekly exercise regimen.  Since my time constraints have increased in the recent months, I finding myself only getting to exercise once or twice some weeks up to five times on a few "good" weeks.  However, I know that exercise plays an important role in losing weight and since it is important, I need to make the time for it on a regular basis.  For the rest of this month and into August, I am going to work on doing a minimum of three exercise sessions a week.  Even though my schedule is not going to get any less busy anytime soon, my next goal is to get my exercise up to 4-6 times a week consistently in the upcoming months.
3) Decrease my processed sugar intake-In all honesty, I can have a massive sweet tooth and that is one of my major diet weaknesses.  However, especially with an abundance of fruits being in season during the summer, I am trying to eat more fresh fruits whenever I face a sugar craving.  Even though fruits have their own natural sugars in the form of fructose, they also contain many vitamins and minerals that are beneficial for the body.  That fact generally cannot be said about candy bars and other processed sources of sugars such as pastries and desserts.

I know that it is almost half way over but would you say are your "mini-goals" or "target areas" for July?  If you haven't decided on any yet, remember to keep in mind that it is also never too late to come up with some to work on for the next few weeks and upcoming months.  In the meantime, good luck and also please remember to stay positive!