Quick Fixes or Slow Torture? The Real Deal Behind Fast Weight Loss Trends
Remember when South Beach was merely a glamorous Miami hotspot, not a diet advocating for low carbs? Or when 'Lemonade' first brought Beyoncé to mind? I wish it were for her hit album but I’m talking about the Lemonade Diet/Master Cleanse? Ah, the early 2000s!
Throughout my teenage years and twenties, extreme diets took a hold of me. Pre-internet, I'd sprint to buy the latest copy of Sassy or YM, literally cut and paste articles about the newest “quick-fix" into a binder, and study it more than my Calculus homework… Can you remember those days? Before everything you learned was on your handheld mini-computer, a.k.a. cellphone?
Back then, I didn't realize I was boarding the weight loss roller coaster. The bold headlines, enticing promises, and the initial allure of these diets captivated me. But as many of you might have experienced, the inevitable post-diet weight gain kept me stuck in a cycle, going up and down, round and round, and feeling worse and worse about myself.
It wasn't until my career pause and pivot during Covid, when I immersed myself in holistic nutrition studies, that my mindset genuinely changed. Now, I understand health isn't just a number on the scale or a jeans size; it's a lifestyle. While I'm still mindful of my weight, I focus more on healthy behaviors that boost my energy, not just lower the scale's digits.
In today's society, we crave quick fixes. Same-day Prime deliveries, meals at our door in 30 minutes—sounds familiar, doesn't it? Diet culture thrives on this impatience. The latest shake, protein powder, or supplement, promising quick, easy results. Even my beloved Bravo network seems inundated with talk of Ozempic. But here's the hard truth: sustainable health doesn't come in a convenient package. It's about learning how to nourish your body, a lesson that doesn't exactly line the pockets of big food industries or big pharma, but definitely enriches your wellbeing.
This is a driving factor in why I became a Health Coach. As a mother of two young girls, I want to set a healthy example about eating foods that fuel your body, moving each day, and embracing what you have, peppering in a little self-esteem for these two wherever we can. Isn't it what we all want as parents—to shield our children from the hard times we've experienced? Diet culture and body image pressures in our society are daunting. Going up against a culture that thrives on making you feel less than is a bit overwhelming but it's worth a shot.
To help spread the word of the benefits of holistic nutrition, I've launched my first program, The Be Well Stay Well Fit & Healthy 30-Day Jump Start. This focuses on helping participants avoid the notorious weight roller coaster and step off the diet hamster wheel for good. It provides information on meal planning, nutrition, and movement in manageable, weekly steps that are sustainable. The program offers you a straightforward action plan, a supportive community, personal coach resources, and meal planning templates, all designed to implement lasting lifestyle changes, and it's all 100% online.
If you've had enough of the roller coaster ride and are ready to embrace health and wellness that's more of a marathon than a sprint, I encourage you to check it out here. A core component of Be Well Stay Well Health Coaching is to help busy parents foster a healthier lifestyle for themselves and their family. In closing, please remember, wellness is not a destination, but a journey. Wishing you peace, health, and joy in yours.
