There are so many diets out there. Too many. The internet’s full of different food-related tips, tricks, tools, and tactics intended to help people feel more healthy and be more fit.
But they’re not working.
In spite of these countless diets, the number of overweight and obese people has steeply and steadily increased—nearly tripling over the last 50 years. Meanwhile, the health and fitness industry booms as people keep pouring money into the newest fad diet, the latest magic pill, and the next promising product.
Fads fail. Magic isn’t for muggles. And false promises fall flat.
We’re putting more time, effort, and money into health, fitness, and nutrition. But we’re not healthier. We’re not more fit. And all this dieting isn’t working.
It’s a problem.
Don’t get me wrong, some diets are good. But some are bad. And some are just plain ugly.
That’s why I’m about to show you the worst diet in the world. Well, two actually. In the sea of dietary suggestions, there are only two diets you shouldn’t follow—ever.
That’s good news, though. It means there a lot of things you can do to get great results. Huzzah. But there’s bad news too:
The two diets I’m about to show you—the diets you shouldn’t follow—are also some of the most popular diets in the world.
When people go on a diet to shed a few pounds, they usually turn to one of these. When people talk about so-called cutting-edge nutrition plans, they usually talk about one of these. And when people get hangry at their eating plan, they’re usually following one of these.
These diets you shouldn’t follow have been discouraging your dedication and derailing your results for years.
BUT…
It stops today. It stops right now. Because I’m going to show you two don’t-do diets, how to avoid them, and exactly what to do instead. For the sake of being thorough, let’s start with the basics.
What’s a Diet? Seriously
The term “diet” is really convoluted. When we hear it, we think of things like Paleo, Weight Watchers, calorie restriction, more veggies, less junk, and the inevitable absence of joy that comes with avoiding our favorite foods.
But those aren’t really diets. Those are all dietary interventions.
Traditionally, the word diet simply refers to your habits surrounding food, eating, and nutrition.
Everybody’s got a diet. It’s the food a person habitually eats. It isn’t something you go on or off of, it isn’t some 30-day challenge, and it isn’t necessarily focused on improving health and fitness. (Though, obviously, it can be.)
That’s the classic definition of diet.
But now, “diet” usually goes hand-in-hand with specific health-based goals. It’s a huge part of the fitness industry because your eating habits are the key to getting the results you want.
In other words, your diet makes a difference—a big difference.
It’s no wonder the fitness industry talks about food-based tips and tricks so often. It’s no wonder there are so many different diets. They’ll make or break your progress.
Problem is, most people’s progress is broken. And diets they simply shouldn’t be doing are to blame.
The Two Diets You Shouldn’t Follow
A cornerstone of my fitness philosophy is this: Everything can work. The trick is finding what works best for you. That’s where the magic happens.
But the two diets you shouldn’t follow are the exception to the rule.
They don’t work. They’ll never work. And yet, they’re the most popular diets in the world—keeping countless people from results they’re working so hard to see.
Don’t worry, though. I’ve got your back. Right now, I’m showing you diets you shouldn’t follow and what to do instead so you can finally crush your fitness goals once and for all.
1. Diets You Hate
I love food. This isn’t a surprise. It’s old news, really. Perhaps this is more surprising… I sorta hate dieting.
Clearly, the two are connected. As a food lover, I can’t pretend to enjoy harshly restricting my diet. Because, well, it isn’t enjoyable. Not eating my favorite foods? Not fun.
But I’m a fitness professional. That must mean I bite the bullet and do it anyway, right? Because, ya know, I’ve got to look the part. Be healthy. Look fit. All that jazz.
Yes, I’m going to make sure I look the part. (I consider it part of my job.) But as luck would have it, being healthy and looking fit doesn’t necessitate a diet you hate.
Best part? You’ll actually see more success following a diet you enjoy.
Can’t stand cutting carbs? Then don’t. Hate meticulously tracking foods? Counting macros? Fasting? Then you shouldn’t do it.
Here’s the thing:
Even if you start a diet you hate, you won’t actually follow it. At least not very long, which means the results won’t last long either.
Adherence is the biggest indicator of success. And you’ll never keep the results you get from following a diet you hate. My recommendation? Don’t try.
It may work in the short run, but it won’t last. And I want your results to last.
So indulge a little, eat the foods you love, cut yourself some slack, and enjoy a diet with plenty of wiggle room. Opt for moderate consistency over inconsistent rigidity.
Sustainability. That’s the game.
2. Diets That Hurt
Gluten won’t make you fat. Dairy won’t either. It doesn’t matter what you saw online, both gluten and dairy can be part of a healthy diet.
(Quick aside: The same idea applies to things like carbs, fat, and any other food we’ve ever labeled as “bad.” Fattening foods don’t actually exist.)
Diets that eliminate certain types of food without rhyme or reason are completely unnecessary. But sometimes, some people do need to eliminate specific foods. And that’s completely okay.
Food intolerances exist. Don’t sacrifice your comfort for the sake of your fitness.
If eating X, Y, or Z causes pain (even just mild discomfort), don’t force yourself to eat it. For one, that just sounds miserable. But more importantly, there’s always another way to make sure you’re getting the nutrients you need.
Protein powder making you feel gross and bloated? Ditch it. Does your stomach hurt when you eat gluten, dairy, or literally anything else? Don’t eat it.
Diets that force-feed certain types of food without rhyme or reason are just as unnecessary as those that restrict them.
I don’t even care if you’ve been diagnosed Celiac, allergic, or intolerant. I just care about how you feel. Because a diet that makes you feel great is great in and of itself.
Instead of the Two Diets You Shouldn’t Follow, Do This:
What you eat plays a massive role in your health and fitness.
And everything can work. All of the different dietary tips, tricks, tools, and tactics you’ve heard can help you lose weight, shed fat, and look great. Every single one—except for the two diets you shouldn’t follow.
Diets you hate and diets that hurt don’t work.
Lasting results come from finding the diet that works best for you as an individual. For that, there’s no magical program or quick fix.
You need a plan that’s based on you, your goals, and your personal preferences. And I want you to have exactly that. So I made this:
See More About the Cheat Sheet
The cheat sheet gives you everything you need to personalize your nutrition plan. Plus, it comes with a nutrition-based email course filled with the same value-packed nutrition information I send coaching clients.
I’m giving away the farm and I want you to have it…