I Hate Diets! Weight-loss Program
by Cyndi Waters

Diets, schmiets! I HATE DIETS!!! Now, that doesn't mean there aren't wonderful weight-loss diets out there! It simply means what I previously stated: I HATE DIETS!

Why do I hate diets? I suppose the truth is that I love to eat! Give me my carbs and fats! Give me my chocolate, my pecan pie, and my greasy fried potatoes! Don't tell me that I cannot eat something, because that will only make me more determined to eat it!

Ironically, however, I also prefer being slender to being overweight. Weight-loss seems rather unlikely (especially, when you're over 40, as I am), if you don't watch what you eat.

Okay, so I have to make some sort of compromise, if I want to hang onto my girlish figure. So, I've decided to follow my own "I Hate Diets! Weight-loss Program!" Granted, this isn't an official diet program. But there ARE popular diets out there that fit the profile of my weight-loss program.

The ideal diet, in my opinion, is one in which I can eat at least a little something from each food group. It even allows me to eat desserts (in moderation, of course). I'm not denied anything, so I don't go crazy trying to stick to this particular diet plan. I DO learn healthy eating habits that I can live with for the rest of my life!

Below are a few popular diet plans that fit into my "I Hate Diets! Weight-loss program":

• The Zone Diet - This diet allows for a variety of healthy foods eaten during three balanced meals and two snacks each day. So, you won't go hungry! And, you won't be denied carbs or heart-healthy, monounsaturated fats! The Zone Diet is designed to speed up your metabolism so that the excess pounds can be lost!
  
  
• The Foolproof Diet - On the Foolproof Diet Plan, you'll eat three pre-designed, balanced meals each day. No drugs! No diet shakes! No skipping meals! No meal replacements! This is an all-natural diet plan. Meals are easy to prepare, and you won't go hungry! It's a much better approach for your health than many fad diets.
  
  
• Weight Watchers - Weight Watchers has been around for years and has been successful for many individuals who were trying to lose weight. This weight-loss program allows you to eat all sorts of nutritious foods, and it teaches you to eat in moderation. Weight Watchers offers the point system method of keeping track of what you consume each day. It also offers "The No Counting Plan." You are provided with a support system and are encouraged to combine dieting and exercise to lose weight.

For me, 'dieting' is a bad word! The first three letters of the word, "d-i-e," spell "die!" That's enough to make me think twice before jumping into any fad diets. That's why with my "I Hate Diets! Weight-loss Program," you're not really dieting. You're merely concentrating on what you put into your mouth-focusing on eating healthy foods from each food group (and an occasional sweet or salty treat) in moderation. And, don't forget to exercise regularly!

Cyndi Schoenhals