The Jersey Beach Diet

If the New York Times Bestseller list is any indication, The South Beach Diet -- a book by Arthur Agatston, M.D. -- is taking America by storm. You would imagine that, after so many years of research in the areas of health and wellness, Americans would stop chasing after stupid fad diets. Apparently not. The South Beach Diet is nothing more than a variation on the famous diet created by Dr. Robert C. Atkins. Agatston's area of expertise, like Atkins, is not nutrition; it's cardiology. \nDo us all a favor doc: take care of our tickers but lay off our Snickers.\nIn response to America's fad diet craze, I have organized a fad-free counterattack with the Jersey Beach Diet. Like Atkins and Agatston, I am completely unqualified to write a book about weight loss. But I think I deserve a piece of the self-help pie. After all, I did hit the beach in Wildwood, New Jersey this summer a whole 45 pounds lighter than the summer before.\nSo what's my secret? Don't just change your eating habits, CHANGE YOUR LIFESTYLE! Only a lifestyle change will make a holistic impact on your health. First and foremost, you must take an active interest in your health. Start creating good habits. Get a subscription to a health magazine -- there are many fine options for both men and women. Staying abreast on the latest health information is invaluable to keeping things fresh and exciting. \nI never thought I would be able to give up soda, but after reading about the dangers of high fructose corn syrup and aspartame, I went cold turkey last December. Surprisingly, when I threw out the soda, the desire went with it. I've become so accustomed to iced tea that I often drink it plain (no sweetener, no lemon) -- something that used to make me cringe years ago.\nI have found that a product's ingredient list is just as important as its nutrition label. Too much of our food is processed. People usually ask me why I don't eat low carb foods and drink Michelob Ultra. My answer is simple: I want real food. When I want a beer, I want good old fashioned barley and hops -- not some chemically engineered beverage that is made to taste like beer. When I want a cookie, I want that creamy, chocolaty, chewy goodness, not some Carb-Solutions-Atkins-Advantage-taste-like-rubber candy bar. I can't part with some processed foods; in that case, I have simply found organic alternatives. \nWhen you eat well, you're not just doing good things for your physical body, you are rewarding your body mentally. You feel good knowing that you're eating good food; a positive attitude is vital to our well-being. Remember that diet is only one part of the lifestyle equation. \n"Exercise and fitness are essential to wellness -- the ultimate balance where the body is in sync," said IU Health Center dietitian Dawn Lukas. \nWe as IU students have a world of weight loss opportunities available to us. If you've paid the health fee, take advantage of it! Every full-time student is entitled to free nutrition consultations and fitness assessment exams at the Health and Wellness Education department in the IU Health Center. The SRSC and HPER offer a mammoth supply of classes, resources and supplies to put many fitness goals (strength and cardiovascular training) within your reach. Don't let your privileges at IU's state of the art facilities go to waste. \nFor all of you who were looking for a quick fix with the Jersey Beach Diet, I sincerely apologize. My pursuit of quick weight loss solutions put me through a vicious cycle of despair. Patience, on the other hand, has yielded great rewards.