IMHO, or "Nobody really asked me"

Being the research freak that I am, I have read about almost every "popular" diet that is out there. I also was a pre-nursing student back in the day and took a good nutrition class. So while I'm not an expert, I do have a pretty good idea how our bodies work and what it needs to be healthy.

My problem is all the fad diets out there. I read too many blogs and accounts from people who are on this plan and that plan, but I wonder...how many of these specialized diets can be maintained for life? We all know that losing weight is pretty easy, especially compared to the monumental task of KEEPING IT OFF.

I found myself in a quandary about this very subject. I know someone who has completely cut out carbs, except two small servings a day. They have lost weight with this plan, even without exercise. But can they eat like this for the rest of their lives and maintain their weight loss and good health? I question this because I know that the body requires some carbohydrates for the brain to function optimally. In fact, the biggest downfall of a diet low in carbs is in the morning. A high-protein breakfast WILL stick with you longer, meaning less likelihood to snack mid-morning on doughnuts or whatever, but without carbs, many people feel groggy and sluggish. This is because the brain needs some carbs to wake up.

And what about diets that require someone to eat lots of a certain group of foods that they dislike? If I don't like a food, I will only be able to force myself to eat it for so long before I'm going to cheat. I may reach goal, but I will not be able to maintain it.

All weight loss comes down to ONE SIMPLE EQUATION:

calories in < calories burned

You can achieve this by eating less than your body needs to maintain weight. You can do it by burning more calories than you eat. Or you can do it with a combination of both.

BUT, and this is my big contention--the healthiest thing overall (excepting of course those with a medical condition keeping them from being able to) is eat less AND exercise more. You shouldn't be cutting out whole food groups to do this, unless your entire diet has been from the drive thru. Everyone needs vegetables, fruit, lean meats, whole grains, very small amounts of fat (yes, your body NEEDS fat--but not tons of it!), and even smaller amounts of sweets (meaning processed sugary foods--not needed as far as I can tell).

To be a truly healthy person for a lifetime, you must eat balanced meals including ALL the food groups in appropriate serving sizes. You must also maintain a physically active lifestyle (again, precluding those with medical conditions that keep them from physical activity). Get up, get out, get moving.

So, I'll get off the soapbox, but I'm so worried when I hear friends tell me that they're doing this diet or that one when I know that at best, they will likely yo-yo their weight because the likelihood that they can maintain that eating pattern for life is so slim. How do I know??? Because I did this already once. And even then, I didn't cut out whole food groups. But I viewed my eating as being temporary. I could survive without ice cream because "once I get to my goal weight, I can eat it again."

And you know what? I did. And I got pregnant and I ate ice cream, cake, cookies, candy and whatever else my cravings told me I wanted. And I undid seven months of weight loss and six months of maintaining and PUT ON EVEN MORE WEIGHT.

But, here's the thing. I'm back at it again. And I know that there are those out there who supported me last time, but are hesitant this time for just this reason. But this is my last time. I will never again have the need to put on weight. My whole family is changing how they eat as I change how I cook. And I'm learning how to create meals that are flavorful, enjoyable, and healthy. I am learning how to combine whole foods at home to create wonderfully exciting meals that my family can eat for the rest of our lives. And I'm increasing my physical activity level slowly but surely so that I can keep up with the kids now, and encourage them to be physically active for life.

Well, that's it. What do you think?