Did you know that 95 percent of diets on the market today fail? This means you’re not the only one coming out of that “bad relationship” with your last diet. The road to weight loss is filled with broken dreams—and untold pounds gained in futile attempts to lose a few.
Yes, weight gain is an ironic side effect associated with dieting. First comes the honeymoon period where it looks as though you’re actually going to lose weight—and keep it off. Then suddenly, that honeymoon is over, and you reach the dreaded “plateau” where scales no longer budge. And then…
BAM!
Not only has your scales frozen to a standstill, but you actually start to gain weight. And not just the weight you lost; a few additional pounds inevitably find their way to your hips, buttocks, or midsection.
It’s the dreaded yo-yo effect: You’re overweight. You lose some. You gain more. Who among us hasn’t been there (several times over!)?
The least you can do is take comfort in the fact that so many of us share this issue. Its very prevalence suggests that diet failure occurs through no fault of your own.
Facing a Growing Epidemic
By now, you’re probably familiar with the problem. Americans are facing an epidemic that threatens the health—and many times, survival—of their population and the generations to follow.
It’s called obesity. Unbelievably, 65 percent of the U.S. population is overweight, according to a national survey compiled by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). That’s more than half the country!
But the statistics don’t stop there. Over 25 percent of Americans are obese, or carry 20 percent or more than their ideal weight, according to the CDC. That’s one in four people! That’s right, the United States has the dubious distinction of being the heaviest nation on earth.
The sad news is that several other countries are close behind us. Ranking second on the obesity scale is the United Kingdom, where 58 percent of citizens are overweight and nearly 20 percent are obese.
But the weight itself is only part of the problem. Our obesity epidemic is creating serious health complications as well, not the least of which is Type 2 Diabetes. This condition of insulin resistance, formerly seen primarily in those over 60 years old, is now found routinely in school children as young as eight or nine.
If you believe there’s nothing that can be done about the nation’s weight problem—and yours in particular—think again.
Could This Really Be a Permanent Weight Loss Plan?
There is an effective weight management system. Let’s not even call it a diet. A diet implies you follow rules for a certain period of time, then resume your normal eating patterns, hoping and praying that the weight won’t come back.
A weight management system works for you now and in the future. By mastering this unique way of classifying foods, you can not only lose weight right now, but also keep it off for the rest of your life.
In the process, you can improve your health and even lengthen your life by reducing the risks of diabetes, heart disease, arthritis and a host of degenerative diseases associated with excess weight.
The system is called the glycemic index (GI), and has often been called the “missing link” in the dieting dilemma. Originally developed for patients suffering from Type 2 Diabetes, it recently became clear that it could help anyone manage their weight and prevent diabetes before it becomes a permanent problem.
The glycemic index evaluates foods according to how quickly the body converts the carbohydrates in the foods into glucose, or blood sugar. Foods that are low on the glycemic index create a slow, moderate rise in your blood sugar that is optimal for energy efficiency.
As an individual trying to lose weight, you want to choose low GI foods, which lead to lower insulin levels following your meals. This will help keep your hunger at bay and help you feel full longer. Additionally, the slower the conversion of carbohydrates into glucose, the more efficiently your body can dissolve fat and convert it into energy. It’s a win-win situation!
In contrast, foods high on the glycemic index cause your insulin levels to spike following meals, and then crash several hours later. At this point you feel hungry and exhausted. Who isn’t familiar with that 3 p.m. sugar crash?
The rollercoaster ride of insulin surges from high GI foods can eventually lead to insulin resistance, which is just a few steps away from full-blown diabetes.
There is a little-known syndrome called Metabolic X Syndrome. While this may sound like the title of a Grade B science fiction film, Metabolic X Syndrome is, in fact, a serious health condition. I need to emphasize here that it is not a disease or a disorder in and of itself. Rather, it is a set of circumstances that your body possesses that may raise your risk of developing diabetes. It is, in essence, a precursor to Type 2 Diabetes.
If you discover that you may actually be one of the millions living with Metabolic X Syndrome, don’t panic, and definitely don’t give up your weight loss goals. Because armed with information you still have a remarkable opportunity to change the direction of your health.
You are on your path to vibrant health, unlimited energy, and of course, a totally new body.
