There are plenty of diet plans out there for you to choose from, but that leaves you with the question of which one is right for you. If your goal is to lose weight and maintain that weight loss, you have to select a plan and stick to it. This plan must include a healthy dieting plan and plenty of physical activity.
Before jumping onto the next trendy diet that is flooding your social media, you need to take some time to research and consider these five questions.
Does this diet plan include many different foods from the major food groups?
Each kind of food has different percentages of vitamins and minerals that are necessary for your body to be able to function properly. A good and healthy diet plan should contain a balance of foods from the core food groups, including veggies, fruit, lean meats, low/reduced-fat dairy, poultry and fish, and whole grains. Each food group should have a variety of options instead of just one food from each group, changing up your meal options as well as making sure you get the nutrients you need.
Does this diet plan include meals and foods that you like and will eat longer than a few weeks/months?
Losing weight and maintaining that weight loss is all about making a complete lifestyle change. Selecting a diet plan that you can stick to for a short time period might help you lose that weight, but it won’t help you keep the weight off. The shifts and changes you make must last for a lifetime. So it is important that when you select a diet plan, you select one that you know you can stick to for the foreseeable future.
Can you access these foods at your local grocery store?
A diet plan may seem like a really good and solid plan, but it is no use if you cannot access the foods you need to make it work. If they aren’t readily available or outside of your budget, it makes sticking to the diet harder, if not impossible. An effective and solid diet plan shouldn’t require you to break your budget or search for exotic foods to stick with the plan.
Does it mesh well with your lifestyle and budget?
The diet plan you’re looking at should not only include your food preferences but should also be able to fit right in with your lifestyle and budget. How does this plan affect your budget? Will you enjoy these foods? Even if you can keep up with the budget change and adjust to a new palette, it’s unlikely you will be able to maintain that change after a few months. It’s best to start a plan that already fits into the budget and palette you currently have.
Is scheduled physical activity a part of this diet plan?
What you eat is only one piece of the weight loss puzzle. Any sustainable and healthy diet plan should also include a good workout regimen. If you find a diet plan that works with your budget and interests you, but it doesn’t include a workout program, you can work with a certified personal trainer to put together a workout plan just right for you.
Most diet plans are not going to be a one-size-fits-all. Each person is a unique individual with specific needs and restrictions. That’s why instead of going with a trendy diet on social media, we recommend going to a medical weight loss center. Here at Options Medical Weight Loss in South Loop Chicago, we build a customized plan for you that addresses your goals, lifestyle, and any restrictions you may have. Contact us today to schedule an appointment.