The results of fad diets usually only last a few weeks, after that when you return to your old eating habits, the weight seem the creep back on and you find yourself at your old weight (or sometimes even heavier). Fad diets are most of the time not good for you, but sometimes we do need them – for instance when we need to lose weight fast. The best thing however is to try and avoid fad diets as much as possible. Here is how to spot them

1. Promises of a quick fix

Most fad diets have promises of a quick fix – meaning weight loss in short periods of time and also a lot of weight loss. The weight loss period is anything from a few days to a few weeks and the amount of weight usually fluctuates between 10 to 20 pounds a week.

2. Severe calorie restriction

To accompany the quick weight a severe calorie restriction is also always present. The calories restriction ranges from between 1000 calories and more or less calories than that. Such deprivation can cause serious harm in the long term.

3. Focus on one or two food groups only

The focus with fad diets is usually only on one or a few food groups. Examples of such include cabbage soup diets, egg diets and vegetarian fad diets. Nutrients and vitamins are thus limited.

4. Have a weird fad diet name

You can expect a weird or funny name with most fad diets for instance the cookie diet, the every other day diet, and the cheaters diet.

5. Are very unhealthy

As there is a restriction on the calories, the vitamins and the minerals and the fact that some of them are only from one food group, fad diets are very unhealthy. It is best to try and avoid them or only go on them for short periods of time.

You should be able to identify fad diets after reading this article. Next time you want to go on a new diet, do the sensible thing and rather go for the healthy diet that will teach you long term healthy eating habits. That way you can be almost quarantined that you will keep the weight off for good and you will have the knowledge to make the right food choices.

If you want to speed up your weight loss, then you have to include regular exercise. The eliptical fitness machine will help you with that. It is also a multi-tasking machine as it exercises the lower and upper body at the same time. Just remember that it must stand on a fitness equipment mats to avoid damage.