The Latest Fad Diet Target’s “I” Problems

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Now that the image of physical perfection is blasted everywhere we look, the obsession with our “packages”, or “bodies” has become relentless, but there is hope for all of us with the latest fad diet-at least I’m hoping it becomes one anyway. This one actually works kind of like a microwave, working from the inside out and the results are permanent. This fad diet does not include any food restrictions, or mean beating yourself up over missing a workout, this diet actually promises to put you in a better mood-seriously!

Most females talk about their weight issues like the weather. It's mandatory small talk but ultimately it’s a silly ritual where one puts themselves down so the other can compliment them back-women! The obsession with appearance is not an entirely bad thing or even shallow value. In fact certain standards are actually hygiene related and taking care of the way you smell and look is just basic courtesy when in public.  Yet super-model thin and weight lifter strong is not for every body (type). There are certainly no shortages of unrealistic standards for appearance being marketed. Botox? Liposuction? Even hair dyes all are man-made chemicals we employ to delay the inevitable or try to erase a bad lifestyle, but they are just band-aids.

So what about the diet? It’s not the Hot Tub diet from Bridget Praytor (although that does sound easy)-let me explain. Earlier this week ABC aired a story about a man who took a 21 day challenge to not complain and his results have inspired an estimated 10 million people to jump on the happy train and nix their inner nagger. 
So just how does this help you may wonder? If you tend to be on the pessimistic side just sometimes , please allow me elaborate. This diet requires absolutely NO complaining for three weeks! It resulted in a man named Tim Ferriss (author, entrepreneur and lifestyle guru) feeling more energetic, able to communicate with better results, feeling more satisfied and content and having more meaningful relationships. 

You can re-read those results anytime, but aren’t those the results better than any diet you’ve ever come across? Having more meaningful relationships sounds better than starving or taking some yo-yo approach to your health, and isn’t that why most of us diet anyway? To be attractive and obtain a meaningful relationship?

It’s really surprising that 10 million people are willing to take the 21 Day No Complaint Challenge, 3 weeks is a long time to have no “issues” or at least convincingly act like it. According to the survey GMA posed 59% said they could not do it. Apparently a good rant is better than a binge sometimes. But that just might be the problem with people that chronically diet without lasting (or any) results of actual weight loss. According to the MayoClinic who scientifically supports that having a positive attitude is a “key in tackling weight loss”.

Going a step further, according to a report by Clinical Psychologist Arlene Unger who explained that this positive attitude when attempting weight loss should focus on your brain, your lifestyle and habits first for any positive and lasting weight loss results.

Image from trailer (Min and Bill DVD, Warner Archives edition) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

Most of us have come across people that were just overly negative, mean, unhappy or even just pessimistic about life and know how it can be draining and make you feel terrible. By comparison the people that make us happy, that are positive are people, we want to be around, regardless of how thin or large they are.

Obesity is a serious epidemic in America but from what I have witnessed most people (regardless of their size) are suffering from “I” problems, or ego related narcissism and are in dire need of a personality makeover. Instead of shedding fat pounds, they should shed some baggage first.

Just being yourself, liking that person and being comfortable in your skin is the first part to becoming healthy, both psychically and mentally. No diets are easy and often they are meant to break bad habits, but a 21 day no complain diet seems like one everyone could benefit from. Likely it will even lead to a healthy weight loss for those desiring to shed some pounds. Happiness is energizing, complaining can be toxic. Perhaps the emphasis should not be focused on the fake products in our food that are making us fat, but the fake attitudes and chemicals we willingly put on in order to be something we are not.

Like Zig Ziglar wisely professed, “If you aim at nothing, you will hit it every time” and pretending to be someone you’re not, means you might as well not be there at all.

“What's the whole point of being pretty on the outside when you’re so ugly on the inside?”-Jess C. Scott

If you start to try and keep track of all the complaining done in one day, not just by you, but those around you it’s a bit like the feeling that maybe the NSA has been spying on you-has this been going on all along?

After writing about how irritating grumpy people are and disgusting negative attitudes make a person look (there-done!) I too will be taking the 21 Day No Complain Challenge and hope that in just 3 weeks, myself (and those around me) will be healthier and happier-and if not I’ll be sure to gripe about it.