It’s almost that time of year again; some people have been anticipating it, while most have been dreading it. It’s the one and only bikini season. The time of year both guys and girls flaunt their beach bodies. Or not so much- it’s also the time of year when people decide to try and go on extreme diets and work out excessively because they too want to be flaunting their bodies with confidence as summer approaches.

There are so many different types of diets out there that deal with so many different aspects of diet and health, and claim to change each and every person into the person they want to be. But do they actually work?

Most diets are made because “professionals” have done research and tests that prove that the diet works. Diets also are constructed around the basis of removing and incorporating certain foods that will benefit the body instead of harm them or add on the pounds.

Some example diets that have gotten a lot of attention are: the Atkins diet; Dr. Atkins stresses the removal of most refined carbohydrates and adding more proteins and vegetables; the Paleolithic diet that requires you to eat “like a cave man,” meaning only meats, eggs, vegetables, and certain fruits; the Dukan diet made by Dr. Dukan who says that different stages of different eating patterns are the most beneficial. Those are just the beginning of the amount of different diets out there.

Most people undergo a diet to lose weight in the fastest, most efficient way possible. They don’t take into consideration the different health complications that could be involved or the after effects of the diet. Some diets are so strict, and limit so many foods that it becomes unhealthy because the diet takes away certain nutrition that your body needs; for example, the fruit diet. This diet only allows you to eat only fruits for a specific amount of time. This diet has been proven to cause a disruption in blood sugar levels, muscle weakness, dehydration, and gastrointestinal problems. It’s not good to take away certain things that your body needs just to lose a little weight quickly.

Another reason most diets don’t work is because once the person has lost their goal amount of weight, they start to incorporate the foods they couldn’t have before and the weight is just gained right back. Sometimes, restricting themselves so much causes them to binge eat frequently, meaning they consume extremely large amounts of food over a short period of time without feeling like they can stop.

So are the diets worth the entire struggle? Dr. Carl Brandt says “The healthiest way to lose weight is neither crash diets nor bursts of exercise. The body likes slow changes in terms of food and exercise.” He stresses the importance of moderation, and gradual changes.

As bikini season quickly creeps upon us, don’t run to the internet and books for the different diets. Instead, make it a lifestyle by eating healthy foods, exercising right and keeping a positive mindset. It’s your body and just because a diet “worked” for one person doesn’t mean it will work for you.