Still, I do think there's a lot to be gained from trying something new and pushing your limits for 30 days. Here are a few of the reasons why I was completely wrong...
You are a sample of one.
Most experimental science goes something like this – you pick a decent-sized group of people (your "sample"), you put half of them in Group A and half in Group B, you do something to Group B (like giving them a drug), and you see whether A or B does better. If that sample is big enough, and the math works out, you can make some conclusions about the broader population those people came from.
Medical science goes a step further – they then take those broad conclusions about a group of people and apply them just to you. It's not medicine's fault – it's the best approach anybody has thought of. Statistically, though, it's cheating. It's also why a good doctor understands the importance of patient history and getting to know you as an individual.
A 30-day diet lets you collect data about yourself, and that's important. What works for 80% of the population might not help you at all (or, in extreme cases, could outright kill you).
You discover the obstacles.
Making a potentially lifelong change isn't easy, and we're bound to screw it up a few times. Trying something out for 30 days is a good way to understand what you're up against. I found that adding a couple of fruits and veggies per day to my diet was pretty easy, but past that (say, from 4/day to 5-6) my habits just didn't fit the bill. Now that I'm done, I have a better idea of what I need to change to make this work for the long haul.
You build new habits.
Thirty days isn't enough to guarantee life-altering changes, but it is a pretty good start. If you can stick to something for 30 days, you know you've got a shot at making permanent changes. You're also forced to come to terms with some of your minor addictions and impulses. If you can say no to that extra donut or afternoon Venti Frappuccino for 30 days, you're over the hump, and it's only going to get easier from there.
You build momentum.
Sticking to something for 30 days is an accomplishment, and once you've done it, building a lasting habit feels a lot more achievable. I learned that I could double my fruit/veggie intake without much trouble and without really giving up much. The next steps won't be easy or happen without some willpower, but in 30 days I've gone from avoiding something important to my health (for years) to really believing this change is possible.
Take a long-term view.
So, what's the difference between a good 30-day diet and a bad one? It boils down to making a short-term commitment with a long-term plan. If you eat nothing but kiwis for 30 days just to see if you can do it, I guess that's impressive and you might win that bet with Crazy Earl, but what happens next?
If you take on a challenge, do it to learn something about yourself, uncover the difficulties, build a new habit, and gather the momentum you'll need to make lasting changes.
