Project: LGN--The skinny on fad diets and rumors

I am anti-diet.  You will never find anything on my blog promoting any kind fad diet. Most diets I have watched people undergo have resulted in some kind of health issue or massive weight gain as soon as they finish with it.  Hey Dr. Atkins, you realize that eating little to no carbs for several weeks causes severe bad breath AND your body needs carbs to work.  I'll say it again....calories in, calories out.  That's really all you need to know.  But I understand that we like to feel like we are following some kind of food and work-out plan that keeps us on track and that we know has worked for others.  For me, this usually just means I spend more time reading about it, shopping for it and preparing for it than I actually do exercising or losing weight.  If only I had jogged instead of reading that 200 page book then I would have actually lost weight.  Glamour magazine's February 2011 issue puts some of the myths to the test once and for all....it's very interesting:

"Will __________ help me lose weight?"-Cynthia Sass, R.D. tells what's fast, what's healthy, and what's not. (Her quotes are, in fact, in quotes, my personal narration in parentheses)

• A Juice Fast: No. "You will gain it back when you eat real food again."
• The Master Cleanse: No. "Subsisting on a mix of cayenne pepper, maple syrup, and lemon juice is like an extreme juice fast--but it doesn't contain any substantial food. At least with juice you're getting some calories and antioxidants."
• Going Raw: Maybe, all the veggies will keep your calories intake low, but many people eat too many nuts and seeds and end up gaining.  Plus, it's very hard to stick too.
• Cutting out "white" stuff: Yes. "Refined foods like white flour and sugar have been stripped of vitamins and minerals, not to mention fiber--which leaves you with a more compact grain that has more calories bite for bite. cutting these out means you'll cut your total calories." It's quite possibly the healthiest, fastest way for any woman to lose weight.
• Drinking Milk: Yes, A new study found that dieters who consumed at least 12 oz of milk or other dairy lost more weight over the course of two years than those who had less. How this works isn't clear but the protein in dairy (stick to low-fat) may help keep you full.
• Spicy foods: Yes. "It boosts metabolism, and the more you eat, the more effect it has. It could take off up to 10 pounds in a year. (I was totally shocked to hear this, you can bet I'm adding spice to more things these days)
• Paying with Cash: Maybe. A recent study found that people who use a credit card made more impulse junk food buys.  And tend to buy more food in general.  (I would think it also makes us run through the drive-through more, it does me)
• A Gluten-free Diet: No, "Eliminating gluten--a grain protein in wheat, rye and barley--has nothing do with weight, even among people who are truly intolerant to it.
• Eating Breakfast: Yes. boosts you metabolism, keeps you from getting hungrier later and making poor choices.  Best bet is a mix of a sustaining protein, a little fat, and fiber.
• A Low-Carb diet: No. You may lose in the short term, but mostly water weight. "Carbs are the body's preferred fuel--that's why they're so plentiful in nature. Eliminate white carbs, and you'll likely lose weight, but take away whole grains, and you risk mood swings and cravings" (not to mention heart disease and halitosis!)
• Small meals; yes. nibbling something every three to five hours keeps your metabolism at a constant high and prevents the dips in blood sugar that lead to cravings and binges
• Taking Adderall--(personally I can't believe this even made the list....how stupid and dangerous to take an ADHD drug to lose weight...I don't believe I need to dignify this with the explanation.  Just don't be stupid)

So there you have it.  I thought a lot of that was pretty interesting.  So design your very own way of eating to achieve your goals...and speaking of goals, how am I doing??  Let's just see!!

Long-term Goal: 38 pounds by December 31
Short-term Goal: 10 pounds by May 1
Total weight loss to date: 7 pounds