There is a good chance that you are one of the many who have fought the weight loss battle and lost the battle with your willpower. How can you know what is the best diet plan for you?
It doesn't matter if you are a first time dieter or whether you have been on the "diet-go-round" for years, you'll be pleased to know that there is a plan that is right for you. What is more, it is possible you to stay with the program till you have reached your weight loss goals and beyond.
For starters, pick a plan that is not too rigid for you. You know what your needs are and potential weaknesses. There are some plans that cut out carbohydrates, especially the refined "white" foods. Others go heavy on the protein. Still others make you stay strictly one on kind of food. But those of us who live in the real world finally realize the best diet is one where nothing is completely off-limits. Here common sense and moderation is key.
Another diet to be wary of is the one where you eat one kind of thing one day and another thing the next. Do this for so many days and then rinse and repeat. Really, unless you have the patience of a saint as well as the constitution of an athlete, your body will rebel by sending you emotionally and physically - down - as you body tries to accept the new lifestyle.
So, it seems that the best plan for you would be one that you could live with for the rest of your life. That way, if you want a treat, it is no big deal because it is part of the plan. Really the only "requirement", if there is any, is that you learn to limit your indulgences in these treats to one portion: one can of pop, one cookie, one candy bar, etc. This way you will not feel deprived like you would if you could never eat another brownie or glass of wine.
Finally, in case you were thinking of fasting or binging don't be fooled into thinking your body can handle it. Even if you eat just healthy fruits and vegetables, your body gets mixed signals and thinks you are "starving" and will adjust its metabolism. Besides, here again you will have to deal with your body "yelling" at you, saying it is HUNGRY - FEED ME! And then you do!
The way to choose any diet is to decide if it is suited to living with for a lifetime. Decide to eat better foods, to eat less of those treats, less potatoes and rolls, but not to give them up all together. What would your life be like with no chocolate chip cookies ever again? Could you manage to turn away from mashed potatoes and gravy with stuffing next Thanksgiving?
While many diet plans preach that you can stay true to the new diet for a lifetime, think again. You need to know yourself and whether you seriously could do this without caving in which would result in more weight gain in the long run.
The point? There is no perfect diet that you will magically be able to stay on for the rest of your life. There is such a thing as willpower that will be your friend and guide, if you will listen. Then couple this with one of many plans out there that suggest balanced and sensible ways to eat without feeling the deprivation of any one food group - including occasional sweets and treats.
Don't be misled into thinking those fad diets will do the trick. The best diet plan is balanced, that includes some of your favorites, and will be one you can live with for the rest of your life.
Cheryl Hines is a freelance author who specializes in diet and health. For more sensible diet plan advice, visit her site: besthealthyweightlossdiet.com besthealthyweightlossdiet.com where you can sign up for her latest free report on "Why Can't I Lose Weight?"
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