The Divorce Diet

Need to lose weight fast? Want those stubborn pounds to fall off already? Just go on the divorce diet, and watch your fat disappear!

Obviously no one in their right mind would really recommend such a diet, but testimonials and statistics show that divorce makes some people lose weight at an alarming rate. Why? One theory is that when you experience a traumatic event, such as getting divorced, you tend to burn more calories and eat less without even realizing it. People confess to literally forgetting to eat.

Of course, the opposite can be true too. While some are so in shock that they forget to eat, others turn to food for comfort and gain weight just as fast as others lose. And it’s not just women. Men have drastic weight reactions to divorce as well, but the more dire cases are common among women. For example, women who had eating disorders in their teen or early adult years might fall back into old habits because while they may not be able to control their personal life, they can control what and when they eat.

While the divorce diet can have extreme effects, some experts say that if it’s short-lived, it’s harmless. But is it really? Going through a divorce is a difficult change for everyone involved, and whether it’s unintentional or not, it’s not OK to neglect your health. Why not let a difficult change inspire you to take the best care of yourself possible so that you are more mentally and physically capable to meet your challenge head on? [The Dallas Morning News]