Dr. Grace Tang is a physician with Rex Family Practice of Wakefield. Her ‘A day in my life’ blog series brings you an inside look at the daily routine of a family physician, both inside and outside of the office.
I get a lot of questions, especially this time of year, about my thoughts on certain ‘extreme diets’– high protein/ low carb, liquid diets, hormone injections, appetite suppressants, juicing, etc.
My answer is generally: ‘I’m sure you’ll lose a lot of weight quickly, but you’ll gain it all back when you get tired of it.’ (And mark my words, you will get tired of it.)
This is when I mention what is probably a more moderate, sensible, and cheaper approach. Which brings me to the 100 calories…
Did you know that an extra 100 calories a day over 1 year is equal to 10 POUNDS? (Remember, there are 3500 calories in one pound.)
Doesn’t that blow your mind?!
I mean, I usually think when reading a label ‘oh, it’s just 100 calories.’ Well, that really adds up! How many times do you reach for a handful of pretzels, or a few Hershey’s kisses in the afternoon hours?
Maybe instead of extreme dieting, think about just reducing your snacks or portions by 200-300 calories per day. And, if you add a little exercise, say 30 minutes of walking a day, you will certainly lose weight. The added benefit is that slower, steady weight loss gives you time to change your habits, making it a lifestyle change for the long term, rather than just another fad diet!