When we hear the word diet, most of us automatically associate this with eating well and slimming down. However, almost nobody actually takes the time to examine why this is. Is it because we have friends who have had their life and figure transformed by a diet meal plan? Is it because diets are good for us? Or is it because we are surrounded by adverts and promotions that endorse this idea in order to convince us to part with our money?
Think about it; when was the last time you heard of a diet meal plan actually working for someone you know? Even if you do know someone who has used a diet as the starting point for making significant changes in their life, the chances are you will know at least four or five others who have tried numerous different diets, all of which they have given up on after only a short period of time. Indeed, this may well be a situation you yourself can relate to!
Similarly, how often have you bought so called "diet" foods and drinks without actually taking the time to see what's in them? Were you to do so, you would probably end up reconsidering your choice. Whilst the fact that a drink is "low in fat" might be promoted on its packaging, for example, this may well be being used to draw your attention away from its high sugar content. Although people are generally coming around to the fact that packaged foods with a long shelf life are generally worse for you than fresh ingredients, it is still remarkable how much influence over us these words and phrases have.
One of the principal reasons people are attracted to diet meal plans is that they believe they will enable them to reach the figure they want in as little time as possible and with minimal effort - this is especially true of individuals looking to reach that perfect beach body before the summer starts, for example. However, though cutting down on what you eat will obviously help you lose weight, once you do start eating normally again, your body will hold on to food for longer, meaning it will take much more effort to burn off. Moreover, if you're cutting down on the amount you eat significantly, the main source of the weight you lose will be muscle and stored water rather than fat. As such, no matter how much exercise you do, you will still find it impossible to secure the figure you've always wanted. As with everything else in life, you won't get anywhere unless you try hard, and simply cutting certain foods out of your diet meal plan will do little to improve your overall wellbeing.
Unfortunately, although this is the same information that any good personal trainer or medical professional will give you, thanks to the fact that there is so much money to be made in the dieting industry, it is hard for these individuals to make their voices heard above the remarkable claims of the adverts we are constantly subjected to.
If you really want to feel good and look good, the answer isn't dieting, but rather making simple and maintainable adjustments to your everyday routine such as increasing the amount of exercise you do each week and eating more fresh foods as part of a sensible, long-term diet meal plan.
Not only will diets fail, they will often leave you in a worse position than when you started!