Stupid Diet Confession Time
Stupid diets are everywhere. Honestly, I never understood why anyone would take stupid measures to lose weight. I always thought to myself, “Eat healthy foods, exercise regularly use some self-control, and the weight-loss will follow.” Do you see me rolling my eyes when I’m saying that? Cuz I am totally rolling my eyes. And judging you.
That is, until this last year when I struggled with my own 10 15 18 pounds.
In case you don’t know me, I’ve spent my whole life eating right and exercising. Well, eating as right as I knew at the time. I did go through a Taco Bell Taco Salad phase, for example, under the assumption that “Salad = healthy.” (FYI, a Chicken Ranch Taco Salad packs a whopping 910 calories and 54 grams of fat—not healthy.) But other than things like that, I haven’t done anything wacky, drastic or stupid.
With my diet. We’re talking only about my DIET.
Now that I’m trying to make peace with my new butt and thighs, and mourn the loss of a closet full of clothes that I love, and get used to the strange body I see in the mirror, and wonder if I should keep the clothes (just in case the weight magically falls off) or donate the clothes, I have a whole new empathy for those who struggle with losing weight. After doing all the right things for the last year and not losing a single pound (!) I’m experiencing, for the first time, how it isn’t necessarily all about self-control and hard work. Sometimes it is. But sometimes it’s not. I’m the poster child for “But Sometimes It’s Not.”
I now have days where I’m a little more desperate to shed the weight and therefore, I’m a little more willing to try something stupid.
So, the other day I was reading something on line about African Mango. Supposedly, African Mango will cause you to shed about 12 pounds in 28 days, maybe MORE. Allegedly, Dr. Oz (who I respect immensely) mentioned this supplement on a recent show. Though, I have doubts about him actually mentioning it, since I can’t find any reference to African Mango on his website or any clips of the actual show.
That should have been my first clue.
Anyhoo, sometime around the end of my vegan month, I was having a “I hate my new thighs” day, and I ordered some African Mango supplements off the internet. Because, apparently, they aren’t available in stores.
That should have been my second clue.
Even as I type this, I cringe, because African Mango supplements ain’t cheap. And seriously…how many times has Fitness Friday Girl told you that there is no magic pill to weight loss?!?! About a gagillion.
I took the pills religiously twice a day for a full week. I should have lost anywhere from 3 pounds to 8 pounds by then. Of course, I lost nothing. I think I gained. I don’t even know. It was stupid. But I was desperate. I stopped taking the African Mango.
This past weekend, I had a “being this size isn’t the end of the world” revival, and I bought some great new jeans in a new size. Which I love. The jeans, not necessarily the size.
Now it’s your turn. In your moment of desperation, what stupid diet gimmicks have you fallen for?
Ohhh…Sandy I have done a million stupid things. The one that stands out the most is during the late 80's. I wanted so depserately to be a size 10. So I talked my mom into letting me get get B12 injections and only cook hamburger for me…morning, lunch and dinner. Bless her heart…she not only paid for the injections but cooked hamburger morning noon and night. She had 5 other mouths to cook for and it still amazmes me she did this. I didn't lose weight and I still don't like meatloaf. Sigh…I could go on forever..about the stupid things I have done to lose weight and your right sometimes we do have to make peace with what we're given 🙂
HAHAHAHA stupid diets. Who me? Nah!!! Let's see, where shall I start? How about the Dual Action Cleanse that is supposed to rid your body of 20 lbs of junk? Yep. Not! That didn't work. Although, I think I did get cleansed. I had to stop. Um, how about these diet pills that I took about 16 years ago before the whole ephedrin thing….yeah. I thought I was going to have to call 911 (mind you, I was about 20 lbs skinner than now). Or how about the acai diet? Isn't taking Acai supplements supposed to make you skinny too? I almost bought into the whole coconut oil thing.
Oh, there is metabolife, slimquick, and the others are escaping me right now.
Then there is the Adkins, Blood type, gluten free, vegetarian, Suzanne Summers, Weight Watchers, Zone, and the list goes on.
Then there are teh things I have bought off the TV. Shhh… Now that would be embarrassing (as if the above is not). =) I mean, I do wear a waiste cincher under scrubs for 8 hours a day that has shrunken my waiste (seriously that has worked. I think it just has relocated the fat but at least my waiste is smaller — measuring tapes don't lie).
Gap sells really nice fitting jeans. Yes, I miss my smaller jeans that fit my smaller butt and thinner thighs. Right now, I am just happy that I actually am going to the gym a couple times a week and walking in the evenings. Fingers cross that I will get back the body hidden underneath all this excess weight.
I've had my fair share of stupity. From starving myself, abstaining from meat, liquid only, diet pills, etc. I am wanting to lose this weight so badly, but it's taken me so long!
We are so far removed from real food that would make us all healthy . . . that it is easy to desperatly try something crazy . . . really desiring health. I think I get to busy, too, and am looking for something easy. I have a few too many "diet" books on my shelf.
In college we all did the Atkins awful diet and ate pork rinds . . . they were hideous and we ate them all the time. Why?
Fondly,
Glenda
Do you think calotren can be helpful for fat-loss. I got some recomendations from my friends to use it. However I am continuing my regular exercises and taking a balanced diet regularly. But I am going to use calotren for a quick result. Got a lots of positive reviews and it has no sideeffects too. So no problem to try it.
Oh my gosh… where to begin!
I have to say taking Metabolife with Ephedra when I was in college was pretty much the most stupid of all – especially since I have a heart condition!
Next comes eating less than 1000 calories a day, which only slows your metabolism.
And third, seeing some hot pictures of Beyonce 5-6 years ago and wanted to try what she was doing… The Master Cleanse, which consists of Cayenne Pepper, Lemon Juice, Maple Syrup and water. Lets just say I STUPID!