The Heartland Spa
There was a time when guests would go to a Destination Spa and eat as little as possible, work out as much as possible, and go home as thin as possible, all in about five days. Massages were a relaxing novelty, but definitely not the main attraction. Now, nearly two decades later, many of the guests want to eat a lot, work out a little, receive numerous massages and still hope to go home as thin as possible! Times have changed for Destination Spas and in America. In spite of our continued fascination with fad diets and health clubs, we have continued to grow fatter and more sedentary, thanks to super-sized portions, and the proliferation of TVs, PCs, DVDs, and SUVs. Obesity is at an all time high among kids as well as adults. September 11th, the war, and a slumping economy hit us all hard, and the “out of work” as well as the “overworked” found release in channel surfing, and comfort in Haagen Dazs, and Krispy Kremes. Even though guests currently seem to need more food and more pampering, they still want to know which “diet” really works.
Dr. Atkins actually made his first appearance in the early seventies, advocating a high-protein, low-carbohydrate diet.
The Scarsdale Diet, another high protein diet, was developed by Dr. Herman Tarnower.
Richard Simmons also made his debut as the jolly, slightly plump, pied piper of weight loss, with his old time video dance aerobics and “deal a meal” diet kit which guided people through the maze of food exchanges and portion control.
In the late seventies into the early eighties the Beverly Hills (diarrhea) Diet, which advocated nothing but fruit and water for the first ten days, was popular, and no wonder people lost weight rapidly!
The Pritkin Program was originated in California in the late seventies. This near-vegetarian diet was based on low fat (fewer than 10% of daily calories), high fiber, no added sugar or salt accompanied by regular, often strenuous aerobic exercise.
In the late eighties, Oprah Winfrey made the Optifast Program famous by losing about sixty pounds on its protein sparing modified fast, in the form of liquid meals.
High protein diets made a come back with Barry Sears’ Enter the Zone, in which he advocated a 30% protein, 30% fat, 40% carbohydrate diet. People were happy to trade in their bagels and pasta for beef and chicken.
In 1991, the newest version of “diet pills” appeared in the form of “Phen-Fen”. About 6 million Americans took this appetite suppressant until it was pulled from the shelves in 1997, because 25-30% of those who took it developed heart valve damage.
In 2003, Ephedra also known as Ma Huang, a stimulant found in many weight loss products was pulled from the market in many states, because numerous people died or suffered serious strokes from taking Ephedra.
Other diets that surfaced during the late nineties and early 2000’s were Protein Power, Sugar Busters!, Eat Right For Your Type, and of course, Dr. Atkins’ New Diet Revolution, a slightly modified version of his 1972 book.
Ultimately, the only “diet” that works is the one that helps you lose excess weight and keep it off permanently, without compromising your physical of mental well-being. Beyond dieting, the keys to weight and health management are: eating a variety of foods that are satisfying both in volume and in taste; following a consistent, balanced and pleasurable exercise program; reducing stress by working fewer hours, getting more sleep, reading, gardening, or meditating regularly; and by cultivating a positive attitude, which helps us cope with life’s daily challenges with patience and humor, while rejoicing in our many blessings.
