Searching the worldwide wacky web I stumble across: “Lose ten pounds in three days!”
Intrigued, I find myself on a discussion page for a “fantastic new diet.” Let’s review, shall we? (Warning: If you are capable of rational thought, tread carefully.)
Day One
Breakfast:
Black coffee or tea
half cup grapefruit
one slice toast
two tablespoons peanut butter
Lunch:
half cup tuna
one slice toast
coffee
Dinner:
seven slices meat
one cup string beans
beets
one small apple
one cup vanilla ice cream.
Day Two
Breakfast:
One egg
half banana
one slice toast
coffee
Lunch:
one cup cottage cheese
three saltine crackers
Dinner:
two hot dogs
one cup of broccoli
half cup carrots
cup of vanilla ice cream
Day three is a virtual repeat. Beyond that, instructions include, “Do not vary or substitute foods. In three days you will lose ten pounds and then you can eat normal food, but do not overdo it. After four days of normal eating, start back on the diet.”
Let’s wade right in, shall we?
Aside from the obvious best advice about dieting anywhere, “Don’t overdo it;” who dreamt this up? I mean any diet that requires hot dogs has to be a joke. They — and the ice cream — were probably tossed in simply to prevent one from going bonkers while protectively hunkering over and guarding the three saltine crackers and one miserly beet.
And, as near as I can tell, one consumes only about 800 calories per day.
Should anyone starve themselves with such a low caloric intake, while eating virtually anything, such as marshmallows, sugar, and ice cream, yes, they’d lose weight. Of course, they’d lose teeth, muscle mass, and any chance at good health. That does seems secondary to some, as one person posted, “I lost eight pounds. I don’t believe in the whole ‘science’ thing yadda yadda, but it was a plan that got me to eat fewer calories.”
Okay, Scott, take a deep breath, don’t let your head explode; you might need it. Maybe it was her lack of calories, but, “I don’t believe the whole science thing?” Where does one even go from there? I don’t believe the whole “gravity” thing or I’m not subscribing to the whole “earth is round” thing? I guess health is so-yesterday when you can fit in a size two, right? I mean, let’s get our priorities straight, shall we?
In fairness, many comments did label it unhealthy. However, one endorsed it enthusiastically, “THIS DIET DOES WORK! As a wrestler, my weight is very important. Last year, I put on ten pounds. I was scared of not making weight so I gave this a try. On the third day, I was nine pounds lighter.”
He concludes — get ready for it, “I am now around 25 pounds over-weight, so I am going to do it again.”
See, there it is! If it worked so well, you would not be “doing it again,” you’d still be “doing it” from before.
At the risk of being the proverbial broken record, (repeat after me): “Its NOT about weight, it’s about healthy habits!” One can be at his right weight and be unhealthy. Yet, if you’re healthy, you’ll naturally be at your correct weight. No matter what you eat, the weight will exist until one one adopts a balanced lifestyle: Eat a little less, add healthier foods, walk a little more, and avoid seeking a quick fix.
About the author: Scott “Q” Marcus is the CRP (Chief Recovering Perfectionist) of www.ThisTimeIMeanIt.com and founder of 21DayHabitChange.com, guaranteed to help you change a habit in just 3 weeks. He is available for coaching and speaking at 707.442.6243, scottq@scottqmarcus.com or facebook.com/ThisTimeIMeanIt.