Celebrities use their star power to help deal with weighty issues

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If it’s January, you just know a New Year’s Eve diet resolution has been made – and already broken.

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And yet, many want to start the year off right by embracing the idea of getting healthy, even though deep down they know they’ve already set themselves up for failure.

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According to the U.K.-based YouGov, (British international internet-based market research and data analytics firm,) improving one’s physical health is the “most popular New Year’s resolution for North Americans in 2023, with 20% of people trying to achieve this goal.” A further 18% said they want to eat healthier too.

It’s a given many want to make that diet commitment. What to do? Follow fad dieting, of course – never mind that weight loss is considered a long-term, deeply committed lifestyle change. But the average person doesn’t have the time to waste on dieting. They want the weight off now!

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So – they go with the fads. And fad diets (who can forget the cabbage soup diet?) are famous for being unsustainable. According to www.everydayhealth.com, some of the most popular diets today just don’t stand up scrutiny: Paleo, Keto and Raw Food diets fell flat, for a variety of reasons, mostly they were unsustainable over the long haul, starting with the fact they did not supply a balanced blend of healthy foods or offer healthy eating habits.

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“Rather than focus on lifestyle changes with staying power, these plans present a ‘quick fix that’s not maintainable,’” noted the site, adding “those trendy diets that eliminate entire food groups or call for extreme changes or deprivation will not rank well with wellness professionals.”

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Top three diet plans that continue to come out winners every year? The Mediterranean diet (which allows for whole grains, fruits and vegetables, legumes, olive oil, some lean meats and fish, and nuts and seeds,) the DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension, with a focus on plant-based foods) and the Flexitarian diet (again, more focus on fruits and vegetables with the occasional meat and fish thrown in).

All three offer sensible, healthy eating programs that help with gradual weight loss.

People start off with the good intentions – but many end up breaking the rules as they go along. Or so says research gathered by Total Shape (www.totalshape.com who provide resources on fitness, workouts, and more).

The company recently used data from Statista to reveal the most followed diets in North America. And it turns out many dieters don’t follow the dieting rules whatsoever, with many of those surveyed stating they didn’t follow any nutritional guidelines at all, which makes the whole weight loss issue rather moot.

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“Over half (52%) don’t follow nutritional rules, while 19% follow a low or no-carb diet, meaning they limit or do not eat carbohydrates such as bread, pasta, and potatoes,” offered in recent media material.

What people did pay attention to, according to Total Shape, are celebrities involved in weight loss.

And the Bella Hadid diet tops the list. The famous supermodel came under public scrutiny a few years back after she rapidly dropped a few pounds. Turns out she was sticking to a healthy eating program that was low in carbohydrates, high on protein and included nut butters and hummus. Word is her fridge is so well organized, and stocked only with healthy foods.

Interesting to note, her eating plan sounds a lot like the Mediterranean diet.

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Hadid is considered the most influential celebrity in dieting – but she’s not the only one. Khloe Kardashian (clean eating with plenty of lean protein, healthy fats, veggies, and staying properly hydrated)  follows closely behind, while everyone wants to know how The Princess of Wales, Kate Middleton, keeps her svelte figure (avocados, watermelon with feta, cucumbers and goji berries are big on her list.)

Others include NFL quarterback Tom Brady – considered the athlete with the most influence – along with James Harden, Serena William, LeBron James, Christiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, Neymar, and Kevin Durant.

Singer Taylor Swift has also been searched for her diet secrets, followed by Beyonce. Other singers on the list include Selena Gomez, Doja Cat, and Lizzo.

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“Diet plans can be extremely useful for those who thrive on structure,” offered a spokesperson for Total Fitness via email. “Most people put on weight either by eating foods that are too heavy in fats, sugar, and other refined carbohydrates or by not exercising enough.

“Some people revert to starvation diets to lose weight quickly. But that can be a dangerous idea since starving yourself will negatively affect you mentally, emotionally, and physically.”

Company officials note that “if you are planning to diet or change your eating habits in 2023, make sure to research the diet or speak to a nutritionist to ensure you are still getting all the nutrients and food groups that your body needs.”