Web Content Viewer (JSR 286) - Healthy Weight


Stack of magazines

Lots of diets or physical activity products and programs make big promises about long-lasting weight loss. How do you assess which ones will work for you? Put them to the test by answering these questions:

  • Does it promise you will lose weight quickly?
  • Does it claim to be easy and effortless?
  • Does it claim to be new or revolutionary?
  • Does it claim that you don’t need to exercise?
  • Does it claim to have a magic ingredient of any sort?
  • Does it involve buying special powders, pills or meal replacements?
  • Does it claim you can eat anything you like as long as you take a particular product?
  • Does it cut out carbohydrates found in bread, cereals, grains and potatoes?
  • Does it promise you can eat unlimited amounts of meats, cheese and eggs?
  • Does it promise that special garments, passive exercise machines (where you do nothing), injections or vitamins will help with weight loss?
  • Does it tell you that you must eat only a specific list of foods, with no substitutions allowed?
  • Does it imply that you can eat as many kilojoules as you like and still lose weight?
  • Does it involve skipping meals and not eating regularly?

If the answer to even one of these questions is yes, then reject what’s being offered. There are no magic solutions.

Source: Adapted from Rosemary Stanton, The Diet Dilemma.