After nearly four years at Ohio State, my college career has been whittled down to its last and final quarter. In light of the significant transitions that will be taking place in my life during the next few months, I have decided to take a particular focus on the state of my health. The first goal I have set is to lose the 10 pounds that have been gained from the typically unhealthy food consumption habits that college students tend to fall victim to.
After researching dozens of different diets, some mainstream, such as Atkins, and some that are downright questionable, such as eating grapefruit and grapefruit only, I have settled on a plan that struck me as not only medically sound, but as a realistically long-term way of life: The South Beach Diet. Formulated by Miami doctor and weight-loss specialist, Dr. Agatston. The diet is broken down into three phases.
Currently, I am in phase one, at the end of week one, weighing three pounds less than I did when I started. Phase one is a recommended two week period when all sugars and carbohydrates are banished and not allowed in one’s diet. Undoubtedly, this is the hardest of the three phases. I would know; I was a miserable wench the first day or two. But trust me; it gets much easier after that. The purpose of this period is to detox one’s body of the irresistible cravings that we get for carbs and sugars. Essentially, the two week period serves as a means to turn off the body’s mechanisms that make us crave these foods. With South Beach, individuals can eat foods such as meat, eggs and cheeses as much as they desire without ever counting calories. Most people who successfully follow this regime typically lose between eight and 13 pounds after the initial two weeks.
Chemically, Phase One has changed the way one’s body reacts to foods that have originally made them gain weight. Phase Two allows one to start reintroducing foods such as bread, sweets and fruit back into their diets, slowly and in moderation. Once the individual is down to the weight that they are satisfied at, they move onto Phase Three, which is the phase that is to last a lifetime, if followed properly. Individuals will be eating normal-sized portions of food and also sustaining their new weight.
This is a diet that I don’t believe is extreme and unhealthy. The first two weeks may be difficult, but it is only two weeks long. The diet itself does not require calorie counting nor low or no carb intake. I can eat the foods that I love until I am satisfied. And of course, although optional, exercise is recommended.
You might think I’m crazy. From a glance, most people would probably think that there is no serious need for me to diet. My peers have been astounded upon hearing that I was dieting. And those who really are obese would most likely scoff at me. Although I do not consider myself in the danger zone in terms of weight, I know that I am definitely not the very healthiest that I could be right now. Ten pounds gained as an undergraduate from four years of knowingly consuming unhealthy foods on a regular basis is most likely not a good thing. I would like to stress, however, that I am not dieting because I think that I must be stick-thin to be happy or loved, but because I am determined to shape and mold my daily activity and eating habits into a lifestyle that is healthy and long-lasting. People who achieve this goal also tend to not only be healthier but overall more positive and happier with their lives.
There are plenty of quick-fix and outrageous diets out there. There is definitely the usual eat right and exercise method of losing weight as well. But like most Americans, it is mighty difficult to be able to differentiate what exactly eating right means. Most of us need healthy, realistic and clear-cut guidance in terms of reaching our weight-loss goals. Fortunately, there are means such as the South Beach Diet to spell those steps out and still allow you to eat the foods you love in the end.
Jennifer Choi is a senior in English. She can be reached for comment at [email protected].
