Over-indulged during the Christmas party season? Yearning to look a bit more like your favourite slim celebrity? Perhaps you're tempted by the diet product they are endorsing...after all, it helped them to lose the weight, right?
There are a host of products out on the market being endorsed by celebrities - laxatives, detox teas and fast weight-loss diets. It is understandable that we want to look a certain way due to the pressures placed on us (both female and male) by society and the media. Just remember one thing, people and manufacturers are out to make money and may not care about (your) health first.
Using laxatives as a means to lose weight is ineffective and potentially harmful. You will more than likely be losing water rather than fat and could suffer from diarrhoea, electrolyte imbalance and dehydration. Over time you could irritate your gut lining (bloody stools anyone?) and damage your intestinal function, which would mean an increasing reliance on laxatives....kerching!!! Did I hear a cash register ringing?
Detox products are unnecessary. The human body is perfectly capable of cleaning itself - that's what are livers are for, as they filter out the waste, which we then get rid of through sweat, urine and faeces.
As for fast weight loss diets? You will probably gain back the weight (and more).
Okay, so you over-indulged. Instead of punishing yourself and spending time and money looking for a quick fix, why not choose health for the new year? Find a steady, healthy and enjoyable way of eating that will give you reliable results that are kinder to you and your body.
Cherish what your body can do over what you look like and give yourself the nourishment you deserve. Here's wishing you a very happy and healthy 2020!