I'm gonna get up on my soapbox for a bit.
But before I do, I should probably do a disclaimer.
I am in NO WAY, SHAPE, OR FORM the person you should ask for advice about diets on. I probably shouldn't even be writing this post. But I'm going to, because it's been bothering me. And so I'm gonna talk about diets, but please read this disclaimer first.
"I understand that Run Brinksy Run is is no position to tell me what to eat or when to eat. She is aware that her diet (which consists lately of Pizza Rolls and Coke) is not a healthy way of eating. She is not promoting any one particular way of eating over another, but simply suggesting that before embarking on any diet (of any kind!), an individual should do their research and talk to a professional about what is best for THEM."
Ok, are we all set now? Not gonna yell at me, are you? Because I will not stand for that, ya hear?
If you're good to go, then feel free to read more!
I have a cousin who has struggled with obesity her entire life. You could say its partially genetics or environment or whatever, but it doesn't really matter why. She has issues with it and she knows it.
She recently posted a picture on facebook of a scale and spreadsheet, where she planned on tracking her weight loss, including her weight every morning and evening.
And I am incredibly proud of her for know that she needs to do something to be healthier. Any step in the right direction, no matter how big or small, is a positive thing and should be encouraged. So I told her "I know you can do this! Just focus on getting healthy and don't worry about getting caught up in numbers on a scale!"
Some people will give me crap for this. I'm tiny. I know that. Five foot two and about 115 pounds. Like I said earlier, I'm not the best person for advice on weight loss as I've never really struggled with being overweight. But, as anyone who is involved in being healthy and fitness knows, you cannot simply judge your health by numbers on a scale. There are so many other factors that go into determining your overall health. I just wanted her to remember that on those days when I seems you're working so hard and the scale doesn't reflect that.
Really? REALLY?!?!
Ok, now I'm not a dietician. But even I know better than to tell someone which diet they should be on without doing a health consultation. The paleo diet may be great for some people, but it is not this magic cure-all that so many people seem to think it is.
In fact, NO DIET should ever be considered a cure-all.
"Gluten Free!" "East Clean!" "Vegetarian!" "Vegan!" "Atkin's Diet!" "No Carb!" "Low Carb!"
The options are enough to make you lose your mind. And for those who want to come at me and say "But the Paleo Diet isn't a fad! It's been around since the caveman!" Yeah, thanks... So has syphillis and I think I'll pass on both.
Like I said, if your diet works for you, that's great! But it just irks me to no end to see unqualified people pushing their lifestyle choices on others. How many people out there jump onto a diet bandwagon without actually researching what is involved in that diet? Or thinking about how it will impact them in the longer term? Is this really the best plan for YOU?!?
So as I prepare to step down off my soapbox, I only offer this one piece of advice:
DO YOUR RESEARCH.
Buy some books. Talk to a doctor. Talk to a dietician. A nutritionist. Heck, if you have to, use the internet. But remember that anyone can publish whatever they want on the internet. (They let me on here, didn't they? Obviously, the standards are fairly low...) If you insist on using the internet as your primary source of research, use credible sources. Published scientific article. From medicine journals. Not Joe Blows opinion on why everyone should eat just like he does.
Ok, stepping down now. Going to go eat my Goldfish crackers and finish my Coke. I told you, I'm not perfect. But I'm also not trying to force my food choices on others. Seriously, don't eat like me.
Unless you want to, that is. That's your choice. :)