I saw a recent study, which said that people who chronically “diet,” are 75% more likely to suffer a heart attack than overweight people who do not diet. Frightening, isn’t it?
At first I thought this sounded ridiculous. After all, isn’t it healthier to be fit? And if you’re not fit, isn’t it better to at least try to be fit? According to the medical community, no. With the abundance of processed foods and fast food joints available today, Americans are heavier than ever. The dieting industry has responded quickly. Every diet under the sun, from shakes to low calorie to low carb is being shoved down our throats on every television screen and magazine across the country. And Americans are buying in, hook-line-and sinker.
The danger in chronic dieting is that you’re messing with your heart. When you subscribe to fad dieting, you can lose a great deal of weight quickly. Your body responds. Your cholesterol may go down. Your high blood pressure may resume normal levels. Your heart will function easier. Everything’s great until you go OFF that fad diet and, if you’re like most people, put back on all the weight you’ve lost plus some. Your body responds then as well. Your heart works harder, your cholesterol and blood pressure may rise again, and your health is in jeopardy once again. This roller coaster on the scale that you may think only affects the way your wardrobe fits, is actually affecting your internal organs, and possibly your life expectancy.
Before you begin your next “diet,” I urge you to consult a doctor. Get on a healthy eating plan, not one that will let you lose ten pounds in seven days. Lose weight the old fashioned way, slowly and steadily. It’ll stay off and your health will thank you.