Don't Fool Yourself With A New Year FAD Diet

Happy New Year everyone!

2016 is here and with that the everyday conversation from the flight deck and cabin is... "I have started my diet and I've joined the gym. I need to to lose .. ..... pounds by ....." ( I'll leave you to fill in the blanks).

But 95% of people fail to lose weight AND maintain an ideal weight, so will it all be over by February for most? 

The over indulgence of food and drink at Christmas is a short term event and if you are feeling "bigger" and overweight I ask you.....do you think this happened over that 2 week period?

The crash diets of January will help everyone lose pounds, of course they will. Some diets dehydrate you and others shock the body with calorie restriction, anyone can lose weight rapidly, just think of a boxer at a weigh-in before his fight. The boxer will lose up to 10 pounds in 2 days before a weigh-in, so he can fight in a lower weight category. After weigh-in, his weight returns to normal as he over compensates with food and drink. This is a discipline and a specific event that is controlled to achieve a weight but, realistically his weight will return. 

This is NOT a healthy way to lose weight. In fact it is near impossible to maintain the weight loss from a rapid weight loss FAD diet because of human nature and ones self discipline to fight against our own feelings and desires. Let's talk about a diet I seen on TV a couple of days ago...... 

The diet was for 7 days and apparently Beyonce, the music artist, used this diet. Already note it's only for 7 days....what happens then?

There is NO food in this diet. You can drink 6 -12 drinks of their special drink. The drink was water, a drop of lemon juice and cayenne pepper (to help speed up metabolism). The figure quoted was a loss of 20 pounds in a week! But at what cost to the person and what will it achieve in the long run? 

The lady in the study subjected to this diet lasted just 2 days, she was hungry, agitated, moody and just not satisfied. In fact even a tv film about her could not maintain her will power to stick to this diet. How did this affect her friends, family and even work....let's start living in the real world guys!

Even if Beyonce did carry out this crash diet she would have health professionals around her, monitoring the situation, she would not be getting up at 4am for a 4 Sector day of flying!

This is just one of many crazy crash diets I've seen this year but really the only diet everyone should eat is one of REAL FOOD (it surprises me that someone eating real food is said to be on a diet!). The new years resolution of just cooking more will help you lose weight. A diet of meat, fish, eggs, nuts, seeds, fruit, veg and some dairy is a sustainable way of eating to lose weight and maintain a healthy weight, if you cook the food yourself. 

Remember....you did not become overweight over Christmas so don't try to be underweight by February!

Start your real food regime today and keep yourself full, healthy and lose weight...

This year my new years resolution to flight crew health and fitness is to provide you with delicious recipes, training regimes, time saving tips and more in depth knowledge behind the science of nutrition and training. (I've also bought some interesting products for the home which I'll be reviewing over the next few weeks to share my experiences with you!).

* if you've seen or tried any new diets this year let me know in the comments below, share your experiences I'd love to know how you are doing*