The Best Diet Plan

People are always searching for the best diet plan out there.

But here's a not so secret: they can all be the best diet plan for you.

I've talked about how my preferred way of eating is sticking with meats, veggies, fruits, nuts and oils and basically avoiding dairy, whole grains, beans, etc. For the most part, I only eat those foods, twice a day, and eat until I'm full. No counting calories, no measuring, just eat those foods until I don't feel like eating anymore (although I do tend to be a little more careful with the serving sizes of the nuts and oils since those are higher in calories then the rest). There's a few other things on the "do" and "don't" list that I have but for the most part, that's it.

It's a simple plan, and makes shopping fairly easy.

But the question is, why do I REALLY like this eating plan?

I tend to always argue that it's because it's the way humans have eaten for millions of years and since we've survived this long, there must be something to it.

But I think it goes even deeper than that. I tend to gravitate to this style of eating because I've always been fascinated with evolution. In other words, I've found a style of eating that is healthy, and that I can follow based on my underlying interests. By doing that, it makes it more likely that I will always stick to it.

When I look at other people and the way they eat, those that are successful at weight loss, tend to eat foods in a way that conforms to an underlying interest or lifestyle.

In other words, yes it's true that in order to start living a healthy lifestyle, you need to make some changes. But, at the same time, that doesn't mean that you have to make a complete change and throw out everything that you've enjoyed eating your entire life.

Don't like meat or fish? Then don't eat it.

Do you like to have that morning bagel with your coffee? Then eat it.

The absolute bottom line when it comes to fat loss is: Eat the things that you enjoy, just eat less of it.

There's a million diets out there that people can follow.

I read one article awhile back where a guy ate his fruits, veggies, lean meats, oatmeal, etc., during the day, but every night before he went to bed, he had a pint of Guinness. He loved Guinness and didn't want to give it up. So he changed some of his other eating habits, started exercising, had his pint of Guinness every night, and ended up losing a significant amount of weight.

I had also read another article a couple of years ago by a fitness professional who was telling a story about his father's approach to his own weight management. He asked his dad how he was able to maintain his weight within ten pounds his whole life. His dad simply said "I buckle my belt in the same hole all the time. When it gets too tight, I eat less."

Which is the simplest take home to fat loss: eat less.

The best diet plan for a healthy lifestyle is the one that you gravitate the most towards AND can stick to it 90% of the time. Sure, you'll have to make some changes, even some small sacrifices. But it doesn't mean giving up everything.

So the next time you're out searching for the best diet plan to follow, first sit down and think about things that you are interested in (food and everything else for that matter), and chances are you can fit that into an eating plan that can work for you.

Mike Navin is a Certfied Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) through the National Strength and Conditioning Association and specializes in creating effective and efficient fat loss programs for those that need a workout but only have a limited time in the day. You can read more about his workouts at 30-minuteworkout.com 30-minuteworkout.com