The weight loss industry in Australia is worth a whopping $614m, and just about every woman, man, child and possibly dog is desperate for the next fad diet that will help them to lose weight fast.

There’s no doubt our society loves quick fixes. We are obsessed with instantaneous outcomes but minimal investment, as the chorus sings “If my [insert desired thing here] doesn’t come within 5 seconds I think I’m going to pass out and take to Facebook with my ranty pants.”

So how does this translate to those of us who really want to lose weight fast and but with very little effort? Enter the savvy product marketers who sell shakes, pills, programs, wraps, teas, surgery and even alternative therapies banking (pun intended) on your high hopes that it’s all gonna fix it, and fix it fast. Familiar with this? “To lose weight fast, just drink XYZ product… and by the way, eat a 500 calorie diet and run 20kms a day!”

Sounds fun, sounds convincing, sounds sustainable in the long term. Said. No-one. Ever.

Being overweight is nothing new.

Losing weight is nothing new.

Weight loss products and promises are nothing new.

But common sense and logic apparently is! For the love of God, people. Stop. The. Madness.

Why are we forsaking the first and forgotten rule that we, as humans, are born and bred to love food. That’s right. Our relationship with food should be positive, centred on the taste, texture, smell and sensations of food, in context of our daily life, social gatherings and culture.

Instead, we have this weird hot and cold relationship with food, where we either cut out entire food groups to achieve drastic weight loss results or lose control and binge on virtually anything covered in chocolate. Seems a bit off balance huh?

 Despite what every fad diet out there says, it is actually possible to lose weight and eat cake at the same time.

I work with many women who I teach to maintain a balanced lifestyle. Balance is the key. Eat a wide variety of vegetables and fruits, lean meats, seafood, nuts, dairy, wholegrains and beans, and very minimal amounts of processed foods and refined sugars. It’s as simple as that.

Can you have a piece of cake at your kid’s birthday party? Yes.

Can you have 10 slices? Yes, but this is out of balance and you won’t lose an iota. Can you have grains? Yes. Can you have pasta, pizza and bread? Yes, but as these are highly processed foods, minimal amounts are recommended.

Instead of obsessing over restrictions, which may I add, are only imposed by industries that are capitalising on your vulnerability, focus on what is of benefit to you. Don’t talk in can’s and cant’s because from a psychological perspective, you’re just going to want what you can’t have.

Enjoy and experiment with the huge array of foods that are delicious, nutritious and suited to YOUR personal taste and preference. Remember, food is to be enjoyed.

Everyone is an individual. so throw that ‘one size fits all’ fad diet away, and start blazing the trail for the coming movement of women who’ve had enough of the weight loss BS and just wanna enjoy life… And lose some kilos too.

Now, go have that piece of cake.

When did you stop trying fad diets? Share with us below.

Image source Shutterstock.