Dear Diet Diary,
I didn’t lose any weight this week and was feeling a bit discouraged. I asked Alice if she thought my progress was normal or if it was particularly slow, because I have friends who are losing faster doing different programs. Alice and I went through some of the “quick-fix” options and discussed the pros and cons of each one. Here is an overview of what we discussed.
1: The sleeve is a weight-loss surgery that restricts the stomach capacity. The obvious benefit of the sleeve is very rapid weight loss because you simply cannot eat too much. However, there are major drawbacks to the sleeve that need to be considered. The first is that it is a surgery that entails many risks. But even if you are willing to take those risks, the problem with the sleeve is that although your diet may change, your eating habits and lifestyle may not. This is why many if not most people who undergo the procedure gain the weight back within a few months or years by eating too much, eventually reversing the surgery results.
- Another diet that people have recently been attempting is the 30-Day Diet. The 30-Day Diet requires cutting out all processed foods for about a month, during which participants often drop about 10 pounds. While eating “clean” is virtuous, it isn’t particularly realistic, and unfortunately, most people feel deprived after their month of clean eating that they go back to normal with a vengeance, reversing the weight loss and health benefits in the process.
- Protein Diets: All-protein diets can be enjoyable, especially for people who love a good steak! However, there are two major drawbacks. First, all-protein diets are often high in unhealthy saturated fats and low in vitamins and minerals from fruits. But even more importantly, they aren’t sustainable. It isn’t realistic to think that for the next 90+ years (ad meah v’esrim) you will not eat another carbohydrate. And once you do eat that bread or cookie or Danish, or even fruit, the weight begins to come right back on, usually with a few extra pounds!
Of course, my next question to Alice was, “Why can’t I go on a very restrictive diet or a protein diet, just for a few weeks in order to lose 15 or 20 pounds, and once I lose that weight I will be more motivated to continue in a balanced manner?” However, after discussing all of the above, I already knew the answer. Not only are these quick-fix-type diets counterproductive, they can actually be dangerous and harmful to your body, depriving it of essential vitamins, minerals, and nutrients. And of course, as Alice convinced me, I would gain the weight back, as I have done in the past.
It seems that the only way to attain sustained weight loss is through the slow and steady balanced food plan. I guess I shouldn’t be frustrated and instead be proud of myself for having already lost almost 10 pounds.
Tip of the Week: Do not be tempted to try any extreme weight loss plan. Even if progress is slow, it is preferable to “quick fixes,” which ultimately fail. Stay the course and be patient!
Alice Harrosh, Alice Harrosh is a Nutrition Counselor and Manager at Nutrition by Tanya, with 12 locations, including one on Main street in Queens! Alice knows that making healthy choices is not always easy, as she has been through the struggle herself. As an optimistic person, Alice’s favorite quote is: “It’s never too late to start eating better. If you have a bad morning, make it a better afternoon.” For more information on Nutrition by Tanya or the TAP (Tanya-approved products) food line, please visit www.nutritionbytanya.com or call 844-Tanya-Diet (844-826-9234). For daily tips and inspiration, you may follow @nutritionbytanya on Instagram.