Dieting...what is it?

The concept of dieting refers to the ability to lose weight while eating certain foods or eliminating others. The Atkins Diet, The Carb Addict Diet, The High Protein Diet, The Grapefruit Diet and on and on. What we want is for those rolls, jiggles and love handles to disappear without a lot of starvation and sweat. Until recently pills and surgery, were considered a last resort, but the FDA made the restrictions a little looser. Most patients (about 50-60%) experience drastic weight lost, experts caution that it is not the answer to weight loss. here's why: 1. Surgery, pills and diets are temporary. 2. Few diets are not meant to be utilized as a way of life (few can afford them). 3. Weight loss methods do not solve underlying problems of overeating, emotion and mental problems, biological problems (i.e. thyroid, pituitary and hormonal conditions) that are causing the weight gain. 4. Weight loss is not the same as fat loss. The body will break down muscle if it feels that it is "starving." THE best way to lose weight is to control portion sizes. Why? Most of use only need 2000 calories to live everyday. Most of us actually eat 3000 calories per day. The extra calories are converted into fat and stored. It really doesn't matter what you eat. Even fruits and vegetables can increase your weight--because we don't eat just carrot sticks we eat carrots sticks with Ranch dressing. THE best way to maintain weight loss is to exercise. Activity will balance the calories in, calories out equation. Any type of exercise "burns" calories or uses the energy from food. And the best exercise is to do many different types, not just one--like walking paired with swimming. At the beginning of any exercise program you are always cautioned to see your doctor to rule out any conditions that may affect your activity level. These aren't just words cooked up by lawyers to cover their clients liability. A thorough physical exam can detect simple things like high blood pressure, diabetes, or thyroid disorders.