Summer's here... EVERYONE PANIC

           It’s that time of year everyone, school’s getting out, the weather is getting warmer, and the layers of clothes are being stripped away. There is one inevitable truth about what is about to occur…. Mass panic and hysteria by pretty much everyone when they come to the realization that yes, summer is here! Everyone gets excited for summer and looks forward to some time off from work, spending time with friends and family, enjoying the outdoors, and hitting the beach…. Oh My God! The Beech! YES, that means you have to get that beech body ASAP! What’s the quickest way to lose that few extra pounds? Fad Diets, I mean why not follow the “trends” and just crash diet at the last minute in a desperate attempt to look good for summer disregarding the health risks and the inevitable fact that you’ll gain it all back, PLUS SOME!

            If people would just take care of their bodies by eating relatively healthy year round, there wouldn’t be such a panic to drop those pounds last minute. Not only is the risk to your health severe but, when you crash diet you are more than likely going to gain any weight lost plus several pounds because of the metabolic effect. If you don’t believe me just look here for: The effects of crash dieting on your metabolism. I used to be a personal trainer, and I work out year round and stay in great shape(Not for the beach, but because I just want to) so I get very annoyed around this time of year when everyone runs to me for advice. They usually say something like “Hey, how can I lose 20lbs by next month?” I usually tell them that’s not possible to do in a healthy way, which then leads to THEM being the expert and telling I don’t know what I’m talking about. The solution is to hop on “Google” or ask a friend what they do or have done to lose weight. Then people tend to “Diet” by starving themselves and deprive their body of vital nutrients until they reach their desired weight. THEN when they reach their goal and start eating the same crap as before, all that weight they lost piles right back on, plus some. This can lead to one of several eating disorders.

            It is pretty disturbing to see the lengths people will go to simply drop some weight before summer. We live in such a convenience filled society that it is becoming a cultural norm to put your health at risk and damage your body to “Look Good.” Just the names of some Fad diets alone are so ridiculous its amazing people try them. From the “Blue Glasses Diet” - You wear blue glasses EVERYWHERE & the blue tint makes food undesirable to the brain. Or you could try a “Tapeworm Diet”- This ones tough and pricey, you gotta go to Mexico to pay someone $2,000 for a tapeworm egg, and let it grow inside you… Up to 25 ft. in length & must be excreted…. Oh and it can kill you. That’s just two of  the “Top Ten Diet Fads of Varying Effectiveness”. If people would take care of their bodies year round this wouldn’t be an issue. It’s not that difficult to eat small meals 4-6 times a day(the frequency keeps your metabolism going & the proper portions prevent you from taking in extra calories that would be stored as fat) and get some exercise for 30 minutes a day (It’s great stress relief too), and drink plenty of water…. Let’s call that the “Everyone knows it works, but no one actually does it Diet!”