Making sense of slimming

The diet industry is booming as there is never a shortage of folks that need to lose weight and lot of them are always on the lookout for diets that work. But, finding a diet that works really isn’t that difficult to do.  Rather, finding a diet a person can consistently follow over a period of time is the issue.

The 46.8 billion dollar diet industry (as of 2005) depends not on people staying healthy and keeping off weight, but rather on people taking an endless yo-yo ride between health and fat.  Because the money comes from repeat business, the focus is naturally on methods and products that work for a short period but result in return business.

For example, here is a diet that works.  Drink only water, eat only 1000 calories each day, and combine it with 30 minutes of aerobic activity five times a week.  It’s a guarantee you’ll lose weight.

But there are two problems.  The first is that cravings are likely to ruin the diet.  Sooner or later, particularly after returning home from work outs, those 1000 calories won’t be enough to satisfy.  One piece of cake, or just one bag of chips, or one extra hot dog will soon steer you to dropping off the diet.  The second problem is what happens after the diet ends?  What happens when the weight is gone?  You’ll go right back to eating the same way you ate before the diet?  Then, guess what.  The weight will return.  Next spring, or next time to wear that dress or tuxedo, or next vacation, or simply the next time you glance at a mirror on the way out of the shower it will be time to return to a diet to lose the unwanted pounds.

The best diet is a permanent diet.  More and more people are coming to realize that to lose weight it’s best to change lifestyle, including healthier eating habits and more physical activity.

The Sonoma Diet, created by Connie Guttersen, is one that can realistically become a permanent diet.  This diet is full of real food, and real portions, combined into enjoyable dishes to help encourage someone to stay with it.  At the focus is ten “power foods.”  These power foods consist of almonds, bell peppers, blueberries, broccoli, grapes, olive oil, spinach, strawberries, tomatoes and whole grains, eaten in conjunction with the diet of the Sonoma country, which includes Asian, Latin American and Mediterranean influences.  The types, mixtures and blends of foods prescribed by this diet provides variety to satisfy tastes and appetites.

If you focus your diet efforts from a short term diet to permanent eating habits you will most definitely find a diet that works.  Not only that, you will be healthier overall especially if you combine it with regular exercise.