by Leah Curtis

Created on: July 22, 2007

The biggest myth about dieting is that there is some special, complex formula that will make you lose weight and develop abs of steel. I was always awful at science but I believe that there is some law in physics that can be adapted to roughly say this: the less you put in your body, the more weight that comes off. It could be biology, I'm not too sure. As for the abs of steel, well you're on your own with that one.

I will tell you one equation that is an absolute truth. Fat equals rich for a whole lot of people in our society. In fact, it is a billion dollar business. According to all of the fat gurus none of us should be fat, if we just follow their formula, which is always some bizarre ritual of combining this food with that food, running ten miles per day, not heating your food past a certain temperature. Please! Who has time to figure out this nonsense? Let alone run ten miles a day. I think that most of these people that make a living this way are fat whores. Not to be confused with actual fat whores but "fat" whores in the sense that they prey on people who are looking for some magic fix when it comes to weight loss. Trust me, there isn't one. And my advice comes free.

I have been a dieter most of my life. At least since I've been a teenager, which was over twenty-five years ago. Recently I have lost fifty pounds. I was sick for two months, which helped immensely, because I had zero appetite. When I did feel better I decided to continue losing weight because I had more weight to lose. I ate less and walked more. Walking is the only exercise I like so walking is the only exercise I do. Now I really don't need to lose any more weight but I don't know how to maintain my weight. I only know how to lose weight. You take in less calories than you expend. They say that you should eat "just a little bit more" to maintain your weight. Right, a little bit more such as a cheese burger and fries? Or one fry? I prefer the first option although I think the second option is more realistic.

The word "diet" smacks of deprivation. It shouldn't. I know that obesity is a complex problem in this country. There is a fast food outlet on every corner, computers, televisions, video games and every other type of device that involves sitting are staples for most children but it still comes down to the same thing. What goes in must be less than what comes out. Figuratively speaking. If you're not expending any energy you need very little food. You don't need to spend $20 on a book to tell you that.

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