People have been trying to lose weight for centuries, and the struggle to keep unwanted pounds off has spawned many different weight-loss methods, schemes, and outright scams. Most everyone knows of the traditional weight-loss method of diet and excercise, but there are those who seek an easier route, one that allows them to eat what they want and not have to worry about fitting exercise into their busy routines. Yet with so many weight loss methods out there, how do you know what to choose? The obvious answer is to talk to your doctor, who can tell you if you have certain risk factors that will not let you use a specific method. This is essential when using some of the more unusual methods, which we’re going to outline here. Be advised that a lot of weightloss methods can be dangerous, and you MUST talk to your doctor first.
BANANA DIET
This diet started in Japan, and was created by a pharmacist who was looking to help her husband lose weight. All the diet entails is eating a banana with a glass of room temperature water in the morning, then eating what you like for lunch and dinner, and making sure that you’re in bed before midnight. Sounds simple, doesn’t it? It created such a demand for bananas in Japan, that the country was forced to increase it’s banana imports.
CAVEMAN DIET
This diet argues that we are genetically the same as our paleolithic ancestors, and that obesity and health problems can be explained by changes to our diets due to modern agriculture. Thus, this diet allows people to eat meats, fruits, vegetables, roots, and nuts, but no dairy, grains, or processed salts and sugars. This diet is hotly contested, with some experts arguing that it is a largely unsustainable diet, despite the fact that many people do lose weight on it.
SANDWICH DIET
Originating in Spain, this diet requires that you substitute one meal with a sandwich. You can have whatever you want on the sandwich, but you cannot have any sides. Spanish women swear that this diet keeps them thin and healthy.
BABY FOOD DIET
This one involves – you guessed it – replacing most of your diet with baby food. This diet really took off in Hollywood, with many claiming that it was wonderful for portion control, and that the diet was loaded with healthy fruits and veggies. Baby food is also preservative free, taking a lot of harmful chemicals out of your diet.
HYPNOSIS
Hypnosis has been credited for a lot of things – from causing people to cluck like chickens to smoking cessation, but weight loss? Yes. Hypnosis for weight loss has actually been around for quite a while, but has recently seen a boom in media coverage, causing more people to try this unorthodox ‘diet’. It is highly recommended that you get a certified hypnotist, who may try a two-tiered approach to weight loss. First, he or she will work with you to understand your behavior. Next, the hypnotist will put you into a relaxed state, in which he or she will suggest that you change those behaviors. If the process works, you’ll notice that some of the more unhealthy habits you have will no longer appeal to you as much, or that healthier habits suddenly seem more intriguing.
THE MOST RADICAL METHOD OF ALL
Perhaps the most radical method of weight loss issimply not to lose weight. Unless you really need to lose it for health reasons, the the best thing to do is to learn to be happy with the body you have. Exercise for the fun of it, not simply to slaver away for weight loss. Eat what you like – in moderation. If you want the piece of chocolate cake, eat a reasonable slice, and feel good about it without feeling the need to purge yourself with a diet, or heavy exercise.