Now is the Time to Start Summer Diet

Artwork+by+Lauren+Williams

Lauren Williams

Artwork by Lauren Williams

 With bikini season approaching, now is the ideal time to start losing any extra weight.

Dietitian Dr. Muriel Wagner of Southfield provides tips on the do’s and don’ts of summer dieting.

Wagner says that any diet can be successful if it consists of fruits, vegetables, proteins and low fats. “Avoid foods that are high in fat because they have more calories,” she says, “and they are not a healthy energy source.”

Banana nut muffins, chocolate peanut butter ice cream, Twix candy bars, sugary granola cereals, breakfast syrup, creamy clam chowder soups – these can all be fattening calorie traps, Wagner says.

And read the food labels – sometimes the serving size is one half the bottle or bag or candy bar, so the calorie intake must be doubled if a person eats or drinks the whole amount.

Wagner says adolescents should be careful when dieting because they are still developing. The first thing teens should do if they want to get in better shape is, “Watch your intake of fatty snacks and soft drinks because they are so high in sugar,” Wagner says.

Wagner adds, “Replacing soda with water is a very good choice. It is very important to remain hydrated, dieting or not.”

Senior Adriana Webster says to get in shape she has started going to the gym and eating healthier. Webster says, “Since I have been dieting, I think there is a boost in my metabolism.” She adds, “I feel a lot healthier.”

“There is no specific amount of time to see weight loss,” Wagner says. “Only you can know when you are at your best weight because you’ll feel it.” She also says, “Don’t avoid exercise; a diet would not be as effective without it.”

Broadcast Speech and Radio teacher Tracy Armstrong actively works out to get fit. Armstrong recently joined the group called Run This Town Detroit, a fitness program that does cardio and weight-training. Armstrong finds that lowering her calorie intake and avoiding over eating are the most effective weight loss strategies for her.

So far, the progress Armstrong has seen is gaining in muscle mass but no weight loss as of yet. Armstrong says, “Remember working out is only a part of dieting. You won’t see results if you don’t watch what’s in your diet.”

Wagner says, “Remember to find healthy foods that you actually like to eat; dieting does not mean starvation.”