Hello, everyone!
I'm not a fan of fad diets, but after having a baby, I found myself with a stubborn belly that just wouldn't budge.
I'm generally pretty fit, but I do have some trouble areas - my stomach and the inside of my thighs.
My stats:
Roughly 168 cm tall
59 kg
I've always lost weight at the beach, especially when I'm not indulging in a Swedish table spread.
Last year, we spent a month in Crimea, and that's when I decided to try the watermelon diet.
I stuck to it for 3 days, eating only watermelon and drinking water. That's it.
What kind of watermelon is best?
Any kind will do, but I personally prefer the Torpedo variety. The Kolhaznitsa isn't as tasty to me.
How much watermelon should I eat?
Some sources say you should aim for 3-4 kg, but that's a lot for me to consume in one day. I'm a small eater, and I prefer to eat in small portions throughout the day.
I managed to eat about half a watermelon per day, which is roughly 1.2 kg. I didn't eat anything in the morning because we were heading to the beach, so I had my first meal at lunchtime - watermelon. For dinner, I had a second serving, again after the beach. That's just how it worked out. At home, I probably would have eaten more. I drank plenty of water, at least 2 liters a day, which is normal for me.
One time, I had a coffee in the morning, and I regretted it. Don't mix watermelon with coffee.
Despite its sweetness, watermelon isn't too calorie-dense, making it a great choice for a diet.
Calories per 100g:
35 kcal
It's a fairy tale, really!
Eat it up!
I have to admit, after eating watermelon, I really craved something to drink. All those sugars did catch up with me, though.
By the third day, I was totally over watermelon and just wanted some meat. And to be honest, I was craving something savory, something not sweet.
I have to say, the effect was pretty weak for me. I only lost a bit of weight around my stomach area, and it was barely noticeable.
I didn't have a scale with me while I was on vacation, so I couldn't track my weight. And to be honest, I didn't feel like I'd lost that much weight either.
Strong laxative effect.
It's definitely there. If you have issues with your digestive system, you might want to either try this diet or be extra careful.
I've had some delicate issues with my gut in the past, even during pregnancy, so I've been avoiding a lot of carbs, bread, pasta, and other heavy foods.
So, the watermelon diet was a lifesaver for me. It works, even if it's not the most gentle approach, but it's effective.
Just be careful, though. I was on vacation, so I was able to stick to the diet. If I were working, I don't think I could have handled it. You never know when nature's going to call.
What I liked:
🍉The diet is tasty.
No need to eat broccoli, greens, or celery, which can be pretty gross for some people.
Usually, diets require you to cut out sugary and starchy foods. This one's all about the sweet stuff, though. For me, that was both a pro and a con. I just can't handle eating sweet foods for too long. I'm not saying I'm sick or anything, I just get bored with it. I don't eat a lot of sweets in general, so this diet was a bit of a challenge for me.
🍉No bloating, no heartburn.
The diet didn't give me any stomach discomfort, heartburn, or bloating. Although, I do need to be careful – watermelon can cause bloating, not to mention frequent trips to the bathroom.
Overall, the diet had a really positive effect on my digestive system. If you have issues with cucumbers or other veggies, you might want to be extra cautious with diets like this.
🍉It's tasty, especially if you love watermelon and can eat it all the time. I'm more of an arugula fan, so this diet didn't quite work for me.
🍉It's effective.
I felt a bit lighter from the very first day, and it was a nice feeling.
After three days on the diet:
Cons.
✘ Watermelon gets digested quickly and you often feel like eating. Especially on the first day. You need to tough it out and give your body time to adjust, rather than filling up on food. It's a good idea to keep yourself occupied, without focusing on what you're craving.
Any diet is all about willpower, first and foremost. So, it's essential to stick to your goal.
✘ Frequent trips to the bathroom.
The first day is a full-on cleanse. By the second day, I found it easier, in terms of bathroom breaks. Watermelon is a diuretic, so it's essential to have a bathroom nearby. That's why I recommend doing this diet during a trip or on the weekends. Although, there's a risk of spending the weekend on a porcelain throne.
Don't push yourself too hard if your body reacts poorly to the diet – it's not worth it.
✘ The biggest downside, like with most diets, is that the weight comes back quickly if you return to your regular routine.
After three days, I lost a bit of weight around my midsection, but as soon as I went back to eating normally, everything returned to normal.
On the other hand, I did feel lighter during the diet. My digestive issues normalized.
✘ It's bad to stay on a diet for too long.
Your body needs essential nutrients, so it's essential not to overdo it with diets like this. For me, it's perfectly fine to stick to a diet like this for 2-3 days and then return to my regular routine. That way, my body doesn't suffer, and I can address any minor issues (as I mentioned earlier).
Over the years, I've come to realize that fad diets and simple fasting don't work. A comprehensive approach is what you need.
I can only recommend the watermelon diet to people who don't have any health concerns. For me, it's more of a luxury.
Recommendation:
Individual diet
I'll be honest, I didn't expect to find a diet that would keep me full for 3 days, but the Watermelon Diet was a pleasant surprise. If you're looking for a quick fix, this might be worth checking out.
Another diet that worked for me was the Water Diet.