Just what does one have to do to lose weight? You want to drop a few a pounds, but what course of action is best? There are more choices than at a buffet -- bad example.
The best way to lose weight is cut down on your carbohydrates, right? Or was that cut down on fat instead? No, no, you're supposed to up your protein intake. Oops, my mistake, the best way to be healthy is cut out meat from your diet. Was that right? Oh yeah, and don't drink soda pop. But we've also heard diet soda will make you even more fat. What gives?
According to a recent Federal Trade Commission report, tens of millions of Americans are in the process of some kind of specialty diet, and there are hundreds to choose from. However, the same report also said that only 2 percent of these poor souls are successful in keeping their weight off long term, that is, if they lose any weight at all. With those odds, why don't people shoot for a loftier goal, like making the NBA?
Unfortunately, ASU students have fallen into the madness as much as anybody. Political science junior Karen Tara tried a low-carb approach and lost 12 pounds in three weeks -- then gained eight back in three weeks over winter break. Sounds to us like a waste of time. Think of the energy wasted on worrying about a fad diet that doesn't work. That energy could have been used for studying, saving the rainforest or practicing kung fu.
Creators of such diets are not so concerned about their customers as much as they are making money. They invent these schemes under the false pretenses that their plan is the best, and then market it like Abercrombie and Fitch -- the report also noted that Americans will spend $40 billion in attempts to lose weight this year.
And if each one of these diets supposedly works, then why in the heck do their philosophies contradict each other? As ASU Student Health and Wellness Center's Dr. Irwin Levey said, if the creators were so concerned about people's well being, then why wouldn't they give their dietary plans away?
It seems that these new diet techniques are destined to be the fad that goes down in history, marking the 00s like pogs, pacifier jewelry and virtual pets in the 90s or slap bracelets, mullets and bike shorts in the 80s. And if you are stressing over which fad diet is best, don't worry. You won't be thinking about it for too long.
Soon, the diet fads will pass and everyone will realize that there is no quick shortcut to losing weight. It has to do with your lifestyle. Simply make a commitment to exercise, drink water, don't gorge yourself when you eat and stop spending your money on dietary tricks. If you can stick with that commitment, we at The State Press will guarantee you will be just fine.
