Motivational Mantra: Dominique Dawes Says Just Say No To Diets

Diets are no good. I think people should avoid dieting. A diet is not a way of life. If you eliminate a whole food group or take medication for diet reasons [is] not something that I would encourage people to do. It’s all about portion control; I don’t think people should eliminate french fries; you should not eliminate pizza; you should not eliminate cheeseburgers. I don’t. But the thing is don’t eat the whole cheeseburger, don’t eat the whole thing of large fries. You know, cut everything in half, portion control is key. And then also just make sure you’re eating more healthy choices than you are unhealthy choices.

—Dominique Dawes, Olympic gold medalist, gymnastics coach, and motivational speaker, in an interview with NBC Universal Direct