Are you searching for an easy way to lose weight and be healthy? Have you tried protein shakes, pills, or diet plans from magazines? I have to warn you against searching for that magic bullet for weight loss and healthy living. There is no special product or plan that will make weight loss easy.
Even my husband Nathan has fallen victim to nutritional products. Every 5 years or so he buys a big jug of protein powder in an attempt to build more muscle. He chokes down a few protein shakes and then the jug of beige colored powder sits in my pantry for months taking up valuable space. Finally I roll my eyes and discard the jug. Nathan always goes back to eating foods rather than relying on supplements, but he’s not immune to the ads and claims (even though he’s married to me).
Meal replacements are very popular, and people spend big money on shakes and bars hoping for the rapid weight loss they desire. I would much rather sit down to a big salad with lots of colorful vegetables and beans, flavorful dressing, and fresh fruits then gag down a cold, medicinal tasting shake. Granted, the calories are all counted and the work is done for you, but did you enjoy your meal? A major problem with meal replacements is the transition to eating real food. Once you are at your goal you stop drinking the shakes and you risk gaining the weight back. You haven’t learned how to change your behavior and pick healthy foods and control the portion size of splurge foods.
I also feel that there is no magical weight loss diet. Following a very restrictive diet does not guarantee weight loss. Even raw foods diets do not equal immediate success. Although eating a large amount of raw fruits and vegetables is a good idea for anyone, simply restricting what you eat without learning to control portions will not guarantee weight loss success. Many people just want a list of what foods to eat and what to avoid, but you have to learn appropriate portion sizes to maintain a healthy weight for your body.
So the next time you’re standing at Walgreens staring at the meal replacement shakes and contemplating some rapid weight loss, remember that there is no easy, magical way to lose weight. You have to go at it the old fashioned way with increased activity and decreased calories. You have to fuel yourself with real foods that satisfy your need to chew and your body’s need for vitamins, minerals, fiber, and phytochemicals. Save your money and start a healthy lifestyle today!