What kind of fitness level are you aiming for? If you are considering fad diets now, you might want to stop yourself. While they are effective, these are short-term fitness goals. You will lose weight fast because you are curbing your appetite and eliminating essential sources of energy and carbohydrates. Sure, you’ll lose 10 pounds in a month, but what does it mean for your overall health?
If you talk to an expert who has a health coach diploma, they’ll tell you that fad diets are essentially what’s wrong with people who want to lose weight effectively. While these fads intend to shed off pounds, they are not designed for longevity. This means that you cannot be on these diets your whole life, save for some cases.
Why Fads Don’t Have Long-term Effects
Never eating carbs again and consuming only food rich in fat are never going to be healthy in the long term. You may shed off a few pounds in the first few weeks. In the second and third month, you’ll probably achieve your ideal weight. But this kind of diet is not sustainable in the long run.
You’re going to face health problems for eating too much fat. You’re going to lose sources of energy. You’ll feel lethargic and weak most of the time. Worse, if you haven’t consulted your doctor about it, you might be putting your health at risk. Have you checked your recent medical history and condition? Should you be allowed to follow a high-fat diet plan?
Fad diets often cut out key food groups from your daily consumption. This causes a lot of health problems such as dehydration, weakness and fatigue, constipation, nausea and headaches, and inadequate vitamin and mineral intake. This also means that you are missing out on key nutrients that these food groups can provide.
A Balanced Diet Is the Answer
Don’t worry. There is a diet plan that works wonders. It’s called a well-balanced diet. You’ve probably heard about this your whole life but never wanted to try it because it can’t make you lose weight fast. For a balanced diet to work, you need to follow it through for quite some time. You don’t have to cut out any food group. You can eat everything but in moderation, of course.
There’s nothing new about a balanced diet plan. Health experts have been singing its praises since the beginning of time. Combined with moderate physical activity, a well-balanced diet can help you achieve the fitness level and body figure that you want.
So what is a balanced diet? It’s eating plenty of vegetables and fruits, as well as cereal and whole grain. Your diet should also include a lot of lean meat instead of red meat, and milk, yogurt, and cheese. You need to drink plenty of water—about eight to 10 glasses a day. You should limit the amount of saturated fat and salt that you take. While you can still drink sweetened drinks, it should be in moderation.
Combining a balanced diet with moderate exercise should help you lose some weight. You will feel healthier and more energetic. And since you aren’t losing any key food groups, this diet plan will also have a long-term effect on your health and body.
