We see so many celebrity diets and their incredible results, and there is a knee-jerk reaction to “get in on it.” That’s especially true when you like the celebrity. So many people like the over-the-top humor of Rebel Wilson, and seeing that she has lost more than 60 pounds might prompt people to want to follow in her footsteps. But, the question is always, is it safe or a reasonable diet?
Ms. Wilson lost weight using the Mayr Method that dates back to the 1920s. It was invented by Dr. Franz Xaver Mayr. There is a book that will teach you it or spa-like clinics that can instruct you in the method. Ms. Wilson went to the original clinic where the method was first devised; the book most likely has the same information. But, at the clinics, you can also receive treatments like oxygen therapy, cryotherapy and coloscopies.
The method claims to be “based on four pillars: medicine, nutrition, exercise, and awareness.” Whether or not the spa treatments work is up in the air. However, being onsite with nutritionists is sure to jumpstart the diet. As that’s the case, we would suggest lowering your expectations right from the start; celebrities always have people helping them more than the rest of us. They have the money to have assistants cooking for them, personal medical consultants and trainers to help them stay on track.
It’s a pretty simple diet, and overall — if you are just looking at the diet and exercise component and not attending the clinics — it’s not the worst. However, it does eliminate some healthy food groups. And, one big red flag to us it has a strange and nonsensical rule. You cannot eat raw food after 4 pm. According to the diet’s teachings, your digestive tract doesn’t handle breaking down raw food after that. Maybe in the 1920s, that sounded like science, but now we know that is inaccurate. It also tells you to chew each bite 40 to 60 times. We’re all for savoring food, but that’s an arbitrary and huge number.
According to the diet, you should avoid added sugar — which is excellent advice for health regardless of whether or not you are trying to lose weight. But, it says, you should also swear off gluten, dairy and caffeine. Unless you have celiac disease, lactose intolerance or an allergy, there is no reason to avoid gluten and dairy. And caffeine is another thing that is fine in average amounts for most people. The diet does suggest you eat fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds and protein — including beef.
A significant component of the diet is small portions and plenty of low-impact exercises like walking, hiking and dancing. While it claims that its results are from promoting a higher pH in your gut, portion control and exercise may be what is doing the trick. There hasn’t been much research into the diet, and its claims aren’t backed by scientific research.
As always, we aren’t huge fans of diets. We believe healthy, balanced regular diets where you eat what you like in moderation and stick to more nutritious foods are best. We think diets where you have to cut out food groups are destined to lead to overeating and making you feel like you failed. But this isn’t the worst one out there. It’s not dangerous, just too restrictive for our tastes. If you are interested, you can read the book and discuss it with your doctor. But, the science is murky, and you shouldn’t expect the same results as Rebel Wilson.
