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Following the Fads

If a celebrity is seen doing it, everyone else wants to as well. From fashion to food-choices, we are a people who follow trends.

When it comes to diets, celebrities endorse the latest fad, and people flock by the thousands to imitate.  Some of these fad diets do legitimately work for those who faithfully stick to the regimen.

The less faithful (guilty as charged) will jump from diet to diet claiming they're just big-boned, or genetically unable to lose weight.

We've heard it a million times: everything in moderation.  And it's almost as if healthy, or clean, eating has become its own trend to counter the fad diets circulating the world.  The Times of India reported about a study by Alpro, a manufacture of soy-based food and drink products:

Out of half of the respondents who regularly diet, Alpro found that two out of five dieters quit within the first seven days.  One out of five people are able to sustain it for a month, and the same number make it to the three-month mark, while the remainder stay dedicated for at least six months.

I would argue that this is largely because we (at least in America, I can't speak for the rest of the world) live in an instant-gratification culture.  We fall prey to infomercials and advertisements that guarantee our happiness with just the swipe of a credit card.

I'll be the first to admit that I approach weight loss and fitness with this same mentality.  I'm always motivated and dedicated to cut sweets out of my diet, or go jogging five times per week, until I don't see the desired results within a few days and I give up.

I'd argue along with Janet Lee's article "Should you try these fad diets," as reported by Fox News, that many of these diets can actually be very effective for weight loss...if only people would find the determination to stick to them.  This article explains the health benefits of nine fad diets or food items with expert opinions. 

Some of these fads are unnecessary.  For example, the gluten-free diet.  Gluten is dangerous for those with celiac disease, and it doesn't agree with some people's stomach's, but it isn't necessarily the evil that so many people believe it to be, as Michael Boyle of Bloomberg reported on Nov. 12:

Less than 1 percent of Americans have the disorder that requires a gluten-free diet, yet almost one in three now eschews gluten according to trend watchers NPD Group, influenced by bestselling anti-gluten books and celebrity endorsements. The U.S. market for gluten-free foods will climb from $4.2 billion in 2012 to $6.6 billion by 2017, according to researcher Packaged Facts, as bread bakers, craft-beer markers and eateries from Hooters to Michelin-starred Hakkasan embrace the trend.

If you have the self-control to cut out gluten, you have my respect, and you're probably a healthier person for it.  But gluten-free alternatives often have just as many calories, and are usually twice as expensive.  Going gluten-free may not help you lose weight in the long run because there are so many alternatives on the market.

Caution and research are wise additions to any new diet.  The Atkins low-carb diet got a lot of attention when I was a kid.  My dad was an avid Atkins-preacher, but like most people, he didn't lose much weight because the limit of 20 grams of carbohydrates per day is nearly impossible!  It even cuts out many healthy fruits and vegetables.  Madeline Gordon reported on Collegiate Times that this diet may actually be dangerous:

In fact, according to the American Dietetic Association, people need a minimum of around 150 grams of carbohydrates for our bodies to function efficiently. In addition, according to WebMD.com, it may actually promote heart disease.

Despite the medical evidence opposing this diet, it recently gained attention as Kim Kardashian used it to help her lose her baby-weight.

Despite the many failures of the "fad diet" trend, I have one.  My go-to is the juice fast.  No, I didn't pick it up because celebrities like Colin Farrell like to juice.  I was convinced after watching "Fat, Sick and Nearly Dead."  Granted, I'm not a scientist, and it hasn't really been around long enough for there to be pages upon pages of research on it yet.  On top of that, you'll hear that supposed experts oppose it.  But Joe Cross's results are hard to beat.  My dad's results are hard to beat.

I juice fasted over spring break, losing 10 lbs. in 10 days.  It was rough.  My body was detoxing from all the junk I've dumped into it my whole life, and especially during my college career.  I couldn't maintain it because dorm life, the abundance of junk food and crazy class schedules are not conducive to the time-consuming process of juice preparation.  Yes, I gained the weight back within a few weeks because I didn't eat salads and clean food, I ate pure junk.

Knowing that it works if you have the self-control and a variety of ingredients, I cringed when I read what Sara Lepley wrote in Collegiate Times:

I settled for a quasi-juice cleanse by drinking only Naked juice, all natural Ginger-lemon juice, plain chicken broth (yes, plain) and copious amounts of tea and coffee. Because an overwhelming amount of the juice diets demanded that participants eat at least one solid thing at night, both nights I had half a cup of steamed broccoli, and they were glorious.

Well no wonder she was exhausted, tired, and headache-ridden!  She wasn't getting nearly enough nutrients from her limited sources of juice.  By the way, an easy label reading of Naked juice will reveal that it's mostly fruit, meaning mostly sugar, not a source of sustaining energy or weight loss.  When your body detoxes from sugar, you'll crave it and have mild drug-withdrawal symptoms for the first few days.  Once that passes, it's a piece of cake...or a piece of kale (that's probably a more appropriate cliche).

Squat Til You Drop

Unless you have loads of time on your hands, when you need to work out it had better be quick and effective.
Ladies and gents:

Squat.

Squats work all of the muscles in your legs simultaneously, giving you more bang for your buck.  Because you're bearing your whole weight while you perform the squat, you're also burning calories.

Studies have been done to dispel the convincing myth that in order to lose fat you have to do hours upon hours of cardiovascular training (i.e. running, cycling, swimming).
So if you don't have hours upon hours (really, who does?) then just take a few minutes and do this squat challenge:

The song is slightly annoying...the instructor is slightly annoying...but the 3 minutes and 13 seconds of squatting will tone your legs, burn calories, build muscle, and all those other wonderful things that keep your body in good health and good shape.

If you want to be a nerd about it, you can even calculate a close estimate of how many calories you burn while you're squatting.

10 Reasons to Try Yoga at Home

Think that yoga is something that only 30-something, upper-middle class women practice?  Think again!  "The Eastern practice of yoga has become a modern-day symbol of peace, serenity and well-being in the West. More than 20 million Americans practice yoga..." said Carolyn Gregoire of the Huffington Post.

Whether you're male, female, old, young, middle aged, flexible, inflexible  athletic, or never exercised a day in your life - you are capable of doing yoga, and your body will thank you for it.
If you can't afford the expensive classes, or don't have time to exercise out of the house, YouTube has plenty of workout videos to choose from.
But why yoga?  There are a plethora of benefits.  Here's 10 of them:

1. Lower stress levels.
You'll see these results immediately.  Ain't nobody got time for stress.  Stress makes you gain weight, gives you headaches, and makes even the simplest of tasks seem like climbing Mount Everest.  Calm your mind and kill that stress with a little stretching.

2. Increased flexibility.
You'll see these results immediately.  If you're not into exercising, you might not see the value in stretching.  But you're also not into injuring yourself, right?  Supple, flexible muscles don't tear easily and support your whole bone structure to prevent injury.  Even if you're inflexible, start where you can and slowly push your limits.

3. Stronger bones.
You'll see these results after some years.  The fact is, you can't see your bones - obviously.  But studies have shown that yoga increases bone density, especially in older adults.  You need those bones to stay active.  And those bones need you to do yoga.

4. Relief from chronic back and neck pain.
You'll see these results after a few months.  Self-explanatory.  Loosen up.  I should do yoga more often since I'm always complaining about my back and neck pain and lack of chiropractic insurance.

5. Healthy Weight.
You'll see these results after a few years.  Yoga definitely isn't a go-to when you want to drop a few pounds.  Its benefits take effect over time.  Its purpose is to improve your quality of life for years to come, not help you fit into those skinny jeans (or tighten up your belt a notch or two).  But I can tell you, from the one official yoga class I've taken, that it is a workout.  You sweat.  You burn calories.  You might be sore the next day.  Believe it - yoga will help you achieve and maintain a healthy weight.

6. Anxiety relief.
You'll see these results after a few months.  For many people, yoga is a cheap (or free) therapy from all the crap that life is going to throw your way.  Breathe in.  Breathe out.  And let the burdens fall from your shoulders.

7. Lower blood pressure.
You'll see these results after a few months.  Compared to other forms of exercise, a study has found that yoga successfully lowers certain types of blood pressure.  Doctor's appointments and medications are stressful and expensive.  Yoga is relaxing and cheap.  You can't lose with it!

8. Lower risk of heart disease.
You'll see these results after a few years.  Or maybe you won't see these results specifically, because you won't be going to the hospital for major surgery.  Wouldn't that be fantastic?  Don't trust me - I'm no pro, listen to Harvard on this topic.

9. Improved sense of balance.
You'll see these results after a few months.  Balance is a no-brainer, but the benefits of it might not be so evident.  Dancers and gymnasts aren't the only people who need balance.  Anyone who doesn't want to fall and break something needs balance.

10. Improved brain function.
You'll see these results immediately.  Some forms of yoga improve your focus and memory.  No matter who you are, college student, mother, blue-collar worker, retiree, the list goes on and on - you need your brain to operate at full capacity so you can do whatever it is you need to do effectively and efficiently.

With luck, you might even be as beautiful and inspiring as this guy.  The sunset and the water help.