Diets are Dumb, and Here’s Why

Gazelle, Michael, and I had a conversation this morning that got me all fired up. We were all feeling down on ourselves that we “let ourselves go” during the quarantine. We certainly didn’t work out as much as we usually do.

“I think I’m going to fast today,” Gazelle said.

“That’s so silly!” I answered. The conversation of fad diets came into the picture, and that’s when I realized, I think diets are dumb in general. Here’s why.

Merriam Webster defines diet as “a regimen of eating and drinking sparingly so as to reduce one’s weight.” That doesn’t sound very realistic to me. When I hear people participate in diets to “lose weight in a week” or start a “cleanse," I roll my eyes every time. What happens after that week is up or that cleanse is over? Nine times out of 10, you will go back to your normal eating habits, gain the weight back, and be discouraged.

There is no such thing as a magical pill that will make your fat cells disappear, and what the heck is a meal replacement? It’s nonsense. If I see one more Instagram ad about “Fit Tea” or “Fit Gummies,” I’m going to lose it!

Don’t be fooled. These athletes and fitness coaches may be using these products or diets, but they are also pairing it with an intense exercise regimen. Their bodies are their business, so their weekly workout routine and diet plan is anything but average.

Tricia Cornell, AFPA Certified Sports Nutritionist, says, “Fad diets restrict food groups and promote a poor relationship with food. They also leave the body feeling fatigued, malnourished and can hinder your metabolism and hormonal balance.” These quick-fix diets want you to think that carbs and fat are bad. This is so far from the truth. You need carbs, fat, and proteins to function. It’s all about proportions.

Food is our friend. Instead of depleting yourself of carbs and fat, make better choices on a daily basis. Choose wheat bread over white. Eat vegetables with every meal. Drink more water.

Instead of restricting yourself, create a healthy lifestyle. It’s much more attainable and will make you way happier in the long run. And for the record, you don’t need to get “beach-bod ready.” You and your body are perfectly ready for anything already.