Are you looking for a way to get in shape and stay there? If so, the latest fad diet might be tempting! However, before you take the plunge, heed these important precautions to investigate your new diet. It could make the difference between one more failed attempt and sweet success.
Regardless of the diet you choose, the only proven way to lose weight and keep it off is by burning more calories than you consume in a single day. It really is that simple. Keep this in mind when evaluating your diet.
Diving into a diet that drastically alters your food intake will cause your weight to roller coaster up and down. This is extremely unhealthy! It can cause stress on your internal organs and upset important processes such as your metabolism and control of insulin.
Sharp changes in diet shock the system, both physically and mentally, and pose a significant challenge in maintaining your weight loss regimen.
Diet in Moderation and prominent experts in health and wellness, including most physicians, would agree that the safest and most effective way to lose excess weight is to maintain a balanced diet, exercise on a regular basis, and cut calories at a modest pace.
In order to enable your body to perform at its peak while losing weight, reduce your daily calorie intake by no more than 500 to 1000 calories. This will prevent you from entering a starvation mode that forces your weight to plateau.
The best strategy is to adjust your food in moderation, exercise regularly, and get enough sleep so that you feel well rested. This way, you’ll shed 1 to 2 pounds per week, which is considered a healthy loss of weight.
If you wish to become involved in a diet or weight loss program, it’s important to ensure that the program is the right one for you based on your current health needs. When you find one that’s right for you, you’re more likely to enjoy the success you desire!
Here are some critical considerations for any diet:
1. Personal Support.
Changing your eating habits when you’re alone makes it extremely easy to backslide and walk away. Find out if the program offers online tracking, support counselors, group accountability, food journals, activity logs, and more to track your progress. With the right tools, you can be your best advocate.
- What kind of support system would you like to have?
- Who can help hold you accountable for your goals?
- Is there any kind of group meeting or individual assistance?
2. Personal Goals.
- What is the calorie requirement of the diet?
- Is the calorie requirement in line with your physical limits?
- Diets with an intake under 1700 calories should be scrutinized and discussed with a nutritionist at your local healthcare clinic.
3. Supplemental Medications.
Educate yourself about any required medications before you take them. Have your family physician look over medications, dietary supplements and weight loss pills before taking them as they could very well cause unfavorable side effects alone or when paired with your existing prescription medications.
- Is there a supplement or medication involved?
- What are their common side effects?
- Have you discussed these medications with your physician?
4. Consider the risk factors.
5. Are there any testimonies?
This runs parallel to the concern over calorie intake. Any diet that drastically alters or restricts how often or what kind of food you eat should be reviewed by your family physician.
Find out if you can contact existing members. Avoid depending on online or paper reviews. Companies sometimes pay ghostwriters and affiliates to generate positive reviews of products they’ve never purchased or used.
6. What's the overall cost of the service?
There are often fees for tests, specialty foods, supplements, personal trainers, membership service, shipping costs, online access, and more.
7. Are the staff and management team qualified?
There should never be an issue with obtaining information on the experience and certifications of the individuals who will be working directly with you. These people will be partially responsible for your health and wellness, so know all you can about them.
A new diet can be just the thing you’re looking for to shed those extra pounds. Take these precautions to heart and follow these strategies to find the perfect diet for you!