It is all too common for women to worry about their weight. Women are socialized to think they need to be thin to be attractive and successful. We know better, we should be more concerned with our health than our looks. Nevertheless, we continue to diet and sometimes it is not very healthy at all. From our teens to adulthood as women we are sensitized to worry about our weight. Some women can escape the phenomena. They have either not had a weight problem or are lucky enough to just view and use food for what it is, fuel for the body.

Some men worry about their weight too, especially when it concerns their health. Men do not have the same pressure that women have about being thin. Some men would not eat unless someone put it in front of them or reminded them to. Women know that these are irrational beliefs yet we continue to worry about it anyway. Some women have an unhealthy relationship with food and end up with an eating disorder or dieting all their life. The media does not help the problem. As teens we look at magazines and dream of being thin and beautiful. As we age it can become a control issue, an emotional issue or just bad eating habits.

Promises of losing weight fast are in the media all over the place. Fad diets with quick weight loss promises lure us in to try them, only to be disappointed and out of the money we spent. There seems to be more new diets and diet pills coming around all the time. The newest trend is the cleansing diet. A diet pill will claim it suppresses your appetite, flushes all the toxins out of your body and provides all the vitamins and minerals you need. 'Flushes' should give us a clue; a cleansing diet may leave you running to the bathroom all day.

Losing weight fast is not worth the trouble and it is dangerous to your health. Your hopes will be shattered when you quickly lose 10 pounds only to regain 15 pounds just as fast. Losing weight fast does not work and it poses health risks.

Fad diets can rob your body of the vital nutrients it needs to function normally. This can leave you with untoward side effects such as dehydration, constipation, weakness, fatigue and electrolyte imbalances. Electrolytes help your nerves and muscles function. Your heart is a muscle. You can become very ill or even have a heart attack if your electrolytes and fluids are out of balance. The only way to lose weight and keep it off is to do it sensibly. A sensible diet balances all the food groups and includes occasional treats. A diet with 1500 calories a day can help you lose weight and learn how to eat right. You will not need diet pills because your body will be full and satisfied.

You need to add exercise to your diet to turn up your metabolism and start a lifestyle habit. Women in particular need weight bearing exercise to keep their bones strong. Walking is a weight bearing exercise and anyone can do it, just about anywhere. Once you reach your goal weight you can gradually add more calories to your diet. Most importantly, you have learned how to eat healthy, exercise and you have developed a healthier relationship with food.