As the rest of the world prepares for the upcoming winter, we in the southern hemisphere are still gearing up for summer. As the season approaches, I hear a lot of weight loss programs which is usually just another version of a fad diet. Some ads are very convincing, I nearly jumped into their wagon.

A fad diet, or novelty diet, is a diet that is popular for a time, similar to fads in fashion, without being a standard dietary recommendation, and often promising unreasonably fast weight loss or nonsensical health improvements.[1][2][3][4][5] There is no single definition of what is a fad diet, encompassing a variety of diets with different approaches and evidence bases, and thus different outcomes, advantages and disadvantages,[2] and it is ever-changing.

ENWIKIPEDIA

Quick claims

Being a nurse, I often catch myself thinking of the long term effects of things. When someone suggested to me to skip dinner or not eat at all in order to lose weight, I get very suspicious. Mainly because I understand that my physical body needed food in order to function. In a normal healthy person, the usual source of energy, essential nutrients and fluids is food.

I am no stranger to different types of diets. I have been instructing and helping my clients adhere to their diets in preparation for whatever procedures they are about to undergo. Some needed to have a specific diet because of their current condition like having metabolic disorders, hypertension, etc. Or, they have just recently gone through surgery.To name a few, there is the fluid diet, diabetic diet, strict NPO (non per orem aka you fasting), high protein diet, low fat low protein diet, high fiber diet, high protein diet, low salt low fat diet,etc.

It is no surprise that some of these fad diets promote eliminating a part of the food group like carbohydrates in their diets which usually offers quick results. Some people I know who had been participating in one of the popular fad diets out there (sorry, I cannot really mention it!) even lost almost 25% of their body weight and they are really proud of it! I am not really impressed because loosing that much in such a short amount of time for me is not healthy.

It is always definite that the long term effects of going through these fad diets are: malnutrition, dehydration, metabolism related disorders and other health conditions depending on factors like: their pre "diet" conditions, time, physical response to dietary supplements, age, etc. Though they might be a "quick fix" in order to fit into that tiny bikini or gown you were planning to wear on a very special occasion, the long term effect in itself is enough to discourage me to

Fat is good

I know that most of you have a friend who is constantly on a diet or someone who keeps track on their daily caloric intake. I have been into awkward situations in restaurants and fast food chain when a friend of mine quizzes the person in the counter on how much caloric intake there is in their food. Not that I feel sorry for them. If I am that guy or girl, I would have been rude enough to tell them this: everything in our menu is fattening so please, take your business elsewhere.

I do not really know where the "myth" that FAT is bad news but, it seems to be the recurring theme in my dieting friend's life. For your information, fat is not always bad.

Fat is a type of nutrient, and just like protein and carbohydrates, your body needs some fat for energy, to absorb vitamins, and to protect your heart and brain health. For years we’ve been told that eating fat will add inches to your waistline, raise cholesterol, and cause a myriad of health problems. But now we know that not all fat is the same.

“Bad” fats, such as artificial trans fats and saturated fats, are guilty of the unhealthy things all fats have been blamed for—weight gain, clogged arteries, an increased risk of certain diseases and so forth. But “good” fats such as unsaturated fats and omega-3s have the opposite effect. In fact, healthy fats play a huge role in helping you manage your moods, stay on top of your mental game, fight fatigue, and even control your weight.

--helpguide.org

Supplements

To make things worst, some of the companies who promote weight loss programs often require its members to consume a specific type of supplements ( in the form of capsules, smoothies, coffee/ tea, meals) to aid in weight loss. Though most of them would usually discuss its composition, I just cannot help thinking that probably, not everything is mentioned.

Reality check: anyone will lose weight if one is strictly taking in less than one's dietary requirements and not because they are taking in these "dietary" products. If a person keeps working out all day with little to no food intake to replace the fluids and electrolytes wasted in the activity, then, losing weight and being thin is usually the initial end result.

Supplements in themselves are not bad. But seeking professional advice before taking them is always a must.

Professional qualifications

Most of the time, people get duped into partaking on these diets because of the people behind it. Some would often claim to be physicians or dietitians or experts in their various fields working with some of the famous celebrities out there. Others would even have celebrity endorsers. The common theme usually is that, they discovered a specific process which can aid in weight loss in a safe, fast way.

Now, the safe, fast way part is something that concerns me. I cannot really imagine anyone- in ordinary circumstances who can lose as much as 5 lbs in one week!

It would have been justifiable for them to claim these if it involves an individual assessment which would result in a personalized diet plans. What happens most of the time is that,people simply follow whatever "plan" they invented regardless of their individual needs and physical conditions.

Self Perspective

I am considered fat. You should know that. But it does not upset me. I am still confident on who I am. I never and will never starve myself up because someone called me fat and ugly. Nor will I ever sign up for anything with these words anywhere:

lose weight fast. be beautiful. be confident.

Confidence and beauty is not dependent on your weight.

When others come around and start telling me this: You are fat and ugly. You need to lose weight. Or, I am signing you up for a lose weight diet/ program.

I tell them this:

Why does it bother you? Its not even bothering me! I feel healthy and happy on who and what I am now.

I eat junk food occasionally, I even binge sometimes. I know how it feels when one wants to try a newly released junk food out of curiosity or when there's this craving that only carbonated, fried, greasey food can satisfy. I do not feel guilty eating steaks. In fact, I do not even watch my caloric intake. What I do however, is do a monthly BMI (body mass index) and based on that, I will simply increase my physical activities like walking and running or, decrease my junk food bingeing.

I feel happier knowing that I am doing this not because I wanted to look beautiful or presentable. I am doing this for me. I wanted to be healthy and its another way for me to practice self love. I only have this body in this life time. I am determined to treat it with utmost love, respect and care.