Sometimes I get mad and the keys start flying. This is one of those times! I just read a blog by an M.D. who is going to lay out the secrets and steps to cure obesity and diabetes. It's more exciting if we number the steps and make it seem like a secret that only that one expert knows. STOP!
All these teasers to cure obesity lead to one place, and one place only: eat healthy, whole, unprocessed foods and move more. THE END! Your body counts calories. That is how it determines what you weigh. If you feed it fruits, vegetables, whole grains, healthy fats (in small quantities) and lean protein you will be healthy but not necessarily thin. If you eat less calories than you burn, you will lose weight. It is very hard to be healthy and eat less than you burn if you eat a lot of processed foods, high fat foods and/or fast food. It is even hard to be thin and healthy if you eat out a lot. Have you seen the calorie counts on restaurant menus? I suggest you start asking for them and looking at what you are being served.
To determine how many calories you need per day: women take your weight and multiply it by 10 (men use 12) and that will give you the calories you need to maintain that weight without exercise. So, for example, I weigh 130 lbs. I get 1,300 calories per day (without exercise) to maintain 130 lbs. If I exercise I can take in more and still weigh 130 lbs. It is really very basic and simple.
The best selling diet books out right now want to make you think there is another way. Why? Because you want another way and those books sell. I Can Make You Thin is one of the best selling diet books. The title alone probably sells this book because it implies that he can do it for you. Very attractive indeed. The Four Day Diet is also a bestseller. Eat Right For Your Type says if you eat certain foods based on your blood type, you will be thin. I think you get my message. There is no easy way. No one can do it for you and it takes a lot longer than four days to lose weight, unless you only have a few ounces to lose.
So, if you want to be thin and healthy, you can do it. Eat well, exercise, pay attention to your calories and give it time. It's worth it!
If you'd like to make contact with Irene, you can find her here.