Society is brutally inundated with advertisements from so many diet programs and infomercials that promise quick results if we will follow their plan. They tell us we will not only lose weight quickly but rid ourselves of all our problems and live happily ever after in the process. Does it work that way? Does weight loss bring eternal happiness and contentment? The diet industry wants us to believe that it does. It is a multi-billion dollar gimmick in my humble opinion.
For several years, I was a member of Curves fitness center. I was paying them $30 a month even though I already had a stationary bike and treadmill, as well as a set of free weights and various strength bands to build muscle. One day I was standing in what was our guest room (we turned it into our workout room), but it ended up being the towel-hanging room (the treadmill made a great towel rack). One morning I stood in the doorway of the room and like a flash of brilliance it hit me: "Why am I paying money to Curves when I have all this equipment? This is crazy!" I cancelled my membership and saved the $30 a month to pay for good walking shoes. I vowed I'd go it on my own from that point on and I never looked back.
If you'd rather enjoy the friendship and comradery that a fitness center offers, then by all means do what works for you. In my case, it just happened that the money could be better spent on walking shoes. If there is one lesson I've learned in my journey to wellness, it is this: Any diet without an exercise plan will fail. By the same token, any exercise plan without proper nutrition on a regular basis will fail. One does not work without the other.
So, before you spend a lot of money on yet another diet plan that promises you the moon, consider what you could do on your own. Before you spend oodles of money on a gym membership, take a look around you. Do you have room for equipment at home? Our little guest room holds a treadmill and stationary bike (and a TV of course). We saved money by purchasing used equipment. The key is to use it. It's not worth a plug nickel if it doesn't get used.
Can't even afford used exercise equipment? What changes could you make today that would not cost you a dime? Do you have fifteen minutes twice a day to take a walk at work? Take your walking shoes to work and walk! Can you give up fast-food at lunchtime to brown bag? Fix nutritious lunches. It's really the little changes that will matter over time. Small and consistent, but best of all - lasting! The weight will come off slowly, but it will come off - and stay off! It's not a "diet", but a lifestyle!
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