Lose weight now! That’s a promise. A pinky-promise made to you by the marketing team of the newest diet fad.
Unfortunately, in our society, we are so concerned about losing weight without putting forth any effort that we would pretty much fall for anything that seems easy, you know, kind of like how John Mayer is with women. We often confuse getting healthy and in shape with losing weight, which do go hand in hand, unless your only focus is on the losing weight part. 
Ever seen a Facebook friend or hear a co-worker talking about their newest weight loss plan? You know, the one where you only have to replace one meal a day with a chocolate shake promising more super-foods and nutrients than you could ever dream of consuming on your own without the help of a freakin’ chocolate shake.
Best diet ever, right? You want in? That’ll only be $120, well, $130 if you want the vegan version. Come on, live a little, get the vegan shake, get rid of your television (a vegan requirement, at least that is what all vegans I’ve ever talked to have told me within the first few minutes of meeting them).
If replacing one meal a day is all it took to lose weight then there would no longer be an obesity epidemic and we would all have Michelle Obama arms.
I was talking with a friend this week about how easy it is to get caught up in diet fads because of how quick and simple they are, and about how crazy they make everyone, especially those having to hear about them constantly from friends. I understand that these diets have worked for some people, blah, blah, blah, I believe you, but all I’m trying to say is it’s just as easy without all the tempting “quick fixes.”
It’s really not that hard, ya’ll. I believe it was the great Ice Cube who once said “I got my grub on, but didn’t pig out.” As if Ice Cube wasn’t versatile enough, there he goes summing up how to diet in a simple phrase in one of the best songs of all time. The key is to not pig out. There you go, you owe Ice Cube $120.
You can replace a meal with a shake and reduce caloric intake, but if you have trouble dieting in the first place, chances are you are just adding to the portion of other meals throughout the day. And you still have to exercise. That’s just the way it works.
And no, it’s not easy, and it might take you longer than you’d like, but once you get it down, it becomes easier and a lot cheaper. Not to mention easier to maintain, which is always the downfall of fad diets.
Stepping down from the soapbox, do what’s best for you, but do it in a physically and mentally healthy way. Don’t get caught up in the pressures of losing weight fast. Just use common sense and make easy, healthy, inexpensive choices, and it will all work out. Do it for yourself, but most importantly, do it for Ice Cube.