More on the diet to put an end to all weight loss plans

Jan 12, 2009 20:41 GMT  ·  By
Esther Blum introduces the no-diet diet, meant to help women enjoy losing weight
   Esther Blum introduces the no-diet diet, meant to help women enjoy losing weight

The celebrity culture and the health and fitness industry have long taught us that beauty, or meeting some universal standard for it, means punishment. Be it in the form of a strict “nothing but lemon water and a slice of apple” nutrition regimen, or in that of a grueling workout plan that usually implies more pain than our body can take, staying fit is quite a hard thing to do. Not necessarily so, says certified nutritionist and diet guru Esther Blum, who has just recently spoken with the Daily Mail on her successful book, “Eat, Drink and Be Gorgeous.”

Her plan, the no-diet diet, has already earned the confidence of many celebrities (Sarah Jessica Parker and Teri Hatcher being just two of them) and is now becoming the hottest thing in the US. And the secret for this is not in that it returns awesome results by limiting the dieter to only a few things, but in that it does it by allowing them to eat and drink whatever they want. Moderation is the key, Blum tells the Mail, and not punishing oneself, one way or the other.

In the already popular book, Blum explains how, by its very nature, the nutrition and fitness industry wants women to fail. It’s because of our slip-ups and subsequent remorse that it continues to be so lucrative, since, as we all know it, self-denial followed by guilt followed by self-indulgence is a vicious circle that few can actually break. Moreover, those that do manage to do it bear its immediate effects on their face – which is to say that a too strict diet and workout plan adds years to one’s countenance, a thing women over 30 certainly do not wish.

So, the solution is simple: instead of banishing all fat foods and anything else that women might take pleasure in, Blum advises them to let go and just enjoy them, yet with due moderation. “A little self-acceptance goes a long way to softening our own critical voice, which can serve as a barrier to helping us reach our goals.” Blum adds. The two combined result in that, instead of eliminating chocolate from one’s daily treats, she includes it on the list, with all its great benefits, both on the body and on the psyche. Thus, the distinction between “bad foods” and “good foods” with which we’ve long been familiar no longer stands in place.

Esther Blum recommends the same positive outlook in terms of exercise as well, which should be seen as “an opportunity, not a punishment.” In an unprecedented move, she tells women worldwide to forget about their gym subscriptions, and focus rather on things that are fun for them. “Only do things you really enjoy to get results,” she explains, adding that, among them, we find “gardening, pole dancing, belly dancing, walking.”

The conclusion is to never lose hope and give up trying. “So embrace yourself, hold your chin up high and remind yourself who's in charge here  -  you're gonna make it after all.” Blum concludes by saying. Her latest book, “Eat, Drink and Be Gorgeous” is now on sale.