For many people, the weight loss journey means adhering to a specific diet plan or style of eating. There are so many options out there nowadays, and all of them are “the best,” depending on who you talk to, that it can be hard to find the one that’s right for you.
Although it truly is a personal decision, use these 5 tips to help you find the diet plan that’s right for you.
1. Stop looking for the ‘magic pill’ solution
This may seem like a no-brainer since we all know, at least logically, that weight loss takes dedication, hard work, and lots of persistence. However, the promise of something fast and easy can be very alluring. The industry is well aware of this and so they offer products, methods and advertising campaigns that tug on just the right emotions to make you think twice.
Always remember that if you want to lose weight permanently, you need to incorporate a permanent solution in your own life. To put it another way, the weight loss journey is a marathon and not a sprint. Make sure whatever plan you choose is something you can stick with for the long run.
And just in case it needs repeating, always stay away from any product that claims it can help you lose weight fast and without any effort.
2. Consider your own body’s nutrition demands
Once someone experiences success with a certain method or plan, they’re likely to tell the world about it. After all, if it worked for them, it will work for you too! But’s it so important to remember that different things work differently for different people.
Get acquainted with your own body and its needs. If you start with a routine that will not be complementary to your lifestyle, needs, and motivations, you are setting your self up for failure.
3. Consider your fitness level before engaging in an exercise program
A lot of people jump at the chance to try out an intense training routine because they want fitness results fast. Yet they never stop to consider their current shape or fitness level. Trust me, you can’t squat 100 times in a row, run 2 miles, or even plank for 60 seconds if your current idea of physical activity is walking from the couch to the fridge.
It can also be extremely dangerous to jump into a hard fitness routine too quickly. You can easily injure yourself and overwork your body. Just like above, this mistake can lead to early failure in your attempt to get fit because you chose a program that did not fit with your level of ability.
This mistake can cost you valuable workout time, and may diminish your chances of successfully reaching your weight loss goals.
4. Consider your lifestyle and the demands of the plan
When selecting a weight loss regime, whether it’s a work out or a diet plan or both, carefully examine the time it will take from your schedule. Do not commit to unrealistic demands on your time because that means you’ll likely quit before you reach your goals.
For example, if you work a lot of overtime or travel frequently, a program that includes a lot of meal prepping with harder to find ingredients is hardly feasible.
5. Permanency Counts
One of the most important considerations when choosing a diet plan is to make sure it’s sticky. In other words, make sure it’s something that will stick with you for a long time through the instilling of new, healthier habits and a new mindset toward food and fitness.
In all honesty, lasting weight loss typically only happens when you stop “dieting” and start making lasting and profound habit changes in dietary and exercise choices.
Remember — you’re not losing weight, you’re getting rid of it because you have no intention of ever finding it again!
