Lose 30 Pounds In 30 Days

“Lose 30 pounds in 30 days!"

We have all seen commercials offering us a flatter belly, rapid weight loss and increased stamina.  Sounds great right? Well actually the results are unrealistic and the products are junk.  Think about it if the grapefruit diet really worked wouldn’t they have made a much bigger deal about it.  Lots of quick fix products on the market cause serious problems like kidney failure, heart problems and even premature osteoporosis. Not sassy at all! It’s so upsetting that smart people can fall for these promises. Tempted to try one of these diets? Here are some reasons why you shouldn’t:

1. Osteoporosis. High-protein diets, such as the Atkins diet, have been shown to increase calcium excretion. Over time, premature osteoporosis can develop and lead to a higher chance of broken bones while training.  Weak bones are definitely not sassy. 

2. Kidney failure. Consuming too much protein increases susceptibility to kidney disease. Both the American Heart Association and American Cancer Society recommend a diet including only 10% to 15% of calories derived from protein. The Zone recommends 30%!  Sitting at a dialysis machine for the rest of your life because you bought into a fad diet is definitely not sassy.

3. Ketosis. Ketosis is a dangerous metabolic state in which your body burns fat and protein instead of glucose. Proponents of low-carbohydrate diets actually promote ketosis as a wonderful benefit of the plan. This condition can eventually cause organs to fail and lead to side effects such as fatigue, dizziness, irritability, and headaches -- all of which minimize performance.  Although ketosis sounds like a sassy dance club, suffering from its effects is decidedly unsassy.

4. Insomnia. Both fad diets and associated products can interrupt normal sleep patterns. Inadequate rest can bring about accidents during a workout due to exhaustion or weakness. Insomnia sufferers may have impaired concentration and decreased ability to accomplish daily tasks, let alone strenuous workouts. A sassy girls best friend is a good night sleep.

5. Loss of muscle mass. Any diet that claims that "in just 48 hours you will lose up to 10 pounds" is going to hurt you. This “effortless” diet can lead to very insufficient calorie intake. The outcome is loss of water, muscle, and organ tissue with little to no fat loss. This promise they are making is trouble. You are lowering your metabolism so you will be inefficiently working. Building muscle is going to be extremely difficult. Without muscle in your body your body will not be a fat burning machine. 

6. Dehydration. High protein intake causes excess urination resulting in dehydration. Dehydration impairs temperature regulation so your body is unable to cool itself efficiently, thus decreasing stamina and increasing recovery time. Severe dehydration jeopardizes mental concentration, muscular strength, physical work capacity, and increases the threat of heat exhaustion.  Do you know what’s not sassy?  Bug eyes and cottonmouth. 

7. Increased risk of injury. Nutrient and caloric deficiencies can decrease alertness and stamina, enhancing your risk of injury. A less obvious cause of injury is the caffeine, ephedrine, or other stimulants that many diet aids contain. These elements create a false perception of increased energy, causing you to push yourself harder than you should, potentially harming joints or muscles. Since 1994, the FDA has received more than 800 reports of serious adverse effects associated with use of products containing ephedrine, such as Metabolife 356.  Be careful out there, ladies.

8. Nutritional imbalances. Diets like Sugar Busters! And Atkins suggest avoiding certain foods, including potatoes, rice, and carrots, all of which are packed with nutrition. An imbalanced diet that lacks key nutrients will prevent you from performing at your peak.  Strange restrictions as to what you can eat are also a reason that most fad diets fail.

9. Reduced endurance. With most quick weight loss plans, glycogen and water are the first materials to be depleted. This deficit can be disastrous to performance and health, as you will lose energy to power muscles, leading to fatigue and lethargy.  Sassy and peppy go hand in hand. 

10. Compromised immunity. Nutritional deficiencies can make you drastically more vulnerable to both minor and major illnesses. These sick days equate to loss of conditioning, missed trainings and skipped events. Many supplements claiming to be "herbal" or "natural," may also interfere with certain medications. Just because something is all-natural does not mean it is safe. After all, cyanide occurs naturally. 

Yes you may lose weight at first with these fad diets but the weight loss is temporary! You’ll gain it back and may gain serious problems at the same time. I know I sound like a broken record because I say it all the time but just reducing your calorie intake and increased physical activity will do the trick.