New diet
Submitted by
Jayne M <craftylady_2@hotmail.com>
I was in Wal-Mart buying a large bag of Purina for Rudy and was in line to check out. A woman behind me asked if I had a dog........ Duh !
I was feeling a bit crabby because of the long lines and it was so busy due to Christmas, so on impulse, I told her no, I was starting the Purina Diet again, although I probably shouldn't because I'd ended up in the hospital last time, but that I'd lost 50 pounds before I awakened in an intensive care unit with tubes coming out of most of my orifices and IV's in both arms.
Her eyes about bugged out of her head. I went on and on with the bogus diet story and she was totally buying it. I told her that it was an easy, inexpensive diet and that the way it works is to load your pockets or purse with Purina nuggets and simply eat one or two every time you feel hungry. The package said the food is nutritionally complete so I was going to try it again.
I have to mention here that practically everyone in the line was by now enthralled with my story, particularly a tall guy behind her.
Horrified, she asked if something in the dog food had poisoned me and was that why I ended up in the hospital.
I said no.....I was sitting in the street licking my butt when a car hit me.
I thought the tall guy was going to have to be carried out the door. It can drive you nuts, can't it? Everywhere you go it's a different story. Someone else is always trying to tell you the new magic diet. Why? Because they saw it on TV! Weight loss is a frustrating subject for most people since there is no correct way to go. We all know we should watch what we eat and stay active, but beyond that there are countless opinions regarding how one should lose weight. Not surprisingly, many myths tend to get a lot more credit than they should. With all the hype and media attention given to fad diets, sometimes common sense gets knocked right out of the equation. Here are five misconceptions about weight loss and fitness. This should put your mind at ease if for only a short time. Lie #1 This is common misconception among dieters. While the scale can give you a reasonable estimate of your weight activity, it does not take into account body composition. Additionally, a person's weight can vary up to six pounds per day, depending on hydration levels. So how can you do it the right way? Body fat testing is a more accurate indicator of progress and it should be done every 4-6 weeks. Lie #2 Regardless of what the latest issue of Men's Health says, you will not turn into Arnold Schwarzenegger overnight. Bulking is also of great concern for women and it doesn't need to be. Muscle takes a long time to develop – it doesn't happen suddenly. Additionally, most women do not carry the genetics to increase their muscle mass the point where they find it unattractive. For men, gaining mass requires a well developed strength training program as well as the proper nutrition. At the end of the day, there is a lot more that goes into building muscle than just an hour at the gym. Lie #3 Lie #4 Unfortunately, this isn't true either. Weight loss amounts to a greater expenditure of calories than we consume. As unfair as it may be, going to the gym five days a week does not give you license to participate in beer drinking contests every weekend. Approximately 80% of weight loss stems from proper nutrition. That's right – you may have been putting too much thought into your cardio regimen and not nearly enough thought into what you eat. Just some food for thought. Lie #5 It is possible to lose 10 pounds of scale weight in one month's time but unfortunately, the majority of that weight is water and waste. Fat loss averages between 1-2 pounds per month for women and 3-4 lbs for men. Going back to the point above, the scale is not a very reliable indicator of what is happening inside your body. ________________________________ So after all this, are things any more clear? Probably not. You may even be feeling more confused now that we've ruled out some of the guidelines you actually thought were true! So what can you do? When trying to lose weight, a balanced approach is best. Consistent and challenging exercise combined with a solid nutritional program is fundamental to efficient weight loss. Losing weight means changing the way you live. So start focusing on the broader picture and you will notice the change over time.
The scale is the best way to measure my progress.
If I strength train/lift weights, I will bulk up.
My diet should be very low in fat, calories, or carbohydrates.
Intellectually, it seems to make sense that the less we eat, the more weight we lose, right? Right.
Unfortunately, the body doesn't work that way. Without proper amounts of fat, calories and carbohydrates, the body functions at a sub-optimal level. In other words, you could actually be having a negative effect on your body by limiting such nutrients.
See a registered dietician or a nutritionist to determine the appropriate levels of fats, calories, and carbohydrates for your specific goals.
If I exercise, I can eat whatever I want.
It is reasonable to expect to lose 10 pounds in a month.
food for thought
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