As the temperature rises, so does our desire to shed the confining layers of winter clothes and trade them in for fabrics that allow our skin to breathe and soak up the summer sun. The previous year's shorts and swim suits are unearthed and we begin the tedious task of trying to wriggle our way into clothes that have somehow managed to "shrink" while in storage throughout the winter.
We look to our trusty friend, the mirror, to reassure us that clothes that fit perfectly at the end of last summer still look as amazing on us now as they did then. But, to our dismay, our reflection reveals one too many lumps and bumps in places we'd rather not see them.
Determination sets in and we vow to win the battle of the bulge. But it is at this point that a dangerous detour is often made on our weight loss journey. Rather than believe the proverbial "Slow and steady wins the race", we impatiently latch on to whichever "quick fix" is most readily available to us on the market.
The most popular "fix" that I am aware of in my own social network seems to be a wide variety of diet pills. Now don't get me wrong, I am in no way judging anyone who chooses this method of weight loss. However, I do question the wisdom in making this decision.
There are two main goals that almost all diet pills supposedly help a person achieve: (a) appetite suppression and (b) increased metabolism. While there isn't anything wrong with wanting to achieve these goals, there is a danger in solely depending on a diet pill to deliver the results one so desperately craves.
It seems that the vast majority of diet pill enthusiasts feel no need to supplement their regimen with good old-fashioned diet and exercise - both natural and healthy ways to suppress your appetite and increase your metabolism. Sure those pounds start melting off like butter with those amazing little pills, but do you stop to wonder what happens once you've lost your ideal weight? You've opted for a "quick fix", but have you planned how you'll maintain your weight in the long run?
Bottom line - If you haven't incorporated a healthy diet plan and exercise regimen into your daily routine, those pounds will pack back on just as quickly as they came off once the pills are out of your system. Some might ask, "So why not just keep taking the pills?" As both a former "user" and a first-hand witness to how diet pill addiction affected a dear friend, please allow me to answer that question.
We've all heard or personally used the excuses, "I don't have time to exercise or plan and cook healthy meals" or "I just don't like healthy foods". A close friend of mine was certainly no stranger to these excuses when she became convinced that diet pills were the fastest and easiest way for her to lose weight.
She quickly lost the extra pounds and reached her ideal body weight and I won't lie - she looked amazing!! But that's when the tables started to turn. She refused to stop taking the pills because she was terrified of gaining weight again. Instead, she continued down a very unhealthy and dangerous road.
She kept taking diet pills and she kept losing weight that she couldn't afford to lose. She quickly got to a point that she looked emaciated; her cheeks were sunken in; her cheekbones protruded prominently and she had horrendous dark circles around her eyes.
It wasn't too long before her doctor ordered her to stop taking diet pills before she killed herself. She was basically wasting away for no good reason other than the fact that diet and and exercise were just too much work and taking a pill a day seemed so much easier.
I'm not saying that anyone should or shouldn't take diet pills. What I am saying is that you shouldn't depend on the pills to do all the work for you. By all means, if you need that extra boost to reach your ideal weight, then do what you've got to do. But also be wise enough to plan ahead , establish a routine and set goals to maintain a healthy and ideal weight naturally once the diet pills have done their job.
Please also educate yourself as to the side effects of the various types of diet pills as well. Some of the appetite suppressants will make you very nauseous. Still others geared toward boosting your metabolism are equivalent to taking caffeine pills or uppers. You may become very nervous and jittery with a noticeable loss in concentration.
I would never presume to tell anyone what to do but, in my personal opinion, nothing beats good, old-fashioned, healthy eating and exercise. You may not see results as quickly as those who choose a "quick fix", but I guarantee you'll lead a much healthier and balanced life!!
