The article "Which Weight Loss Program Should I Choose?" is about fitness, it has been created by Adam Waxler.
Copyright 2006 Adam Waxler
Anyone who is focused on weight loss has seen the before and
after phtoos from various weight loss programs along with
testimonials from persons who have lost weight and look great.
Do these weight loss programs really work? The answer is both
"yes" and "no".
It all depends on what kind of dieter you are
and which weight loss program works best for you.
Of course, the question then becomes how to decide which weight
loss program to choose?
First, you have to remember that "yo-yo" dieting puts stress on
your body that can make losing weight more difficult and putting
weight back on far too easy. The ultimate goal of any weight
loss program is not just to lose weight, but to lose wieght and
keep it off.
That is why it is important to choose a weight loss
program and diet plan that will help you make changes to your
eating habits that will last a lifetime.
Unfortunately, too many persons who are trying to lose weight
jump back and forth between a very restrictive diet and then
returning to "normal" eating after they have expeirenced some
weight loss.
All that will do is lead the dieetr to put the
weight back on. Instead, what you need to do is re-educate.
Instead of chosoing a strict weight loss plan that you'll
abandon when the diet is done, commit to the recommendations for
healthy eating from the USDA, and add half an hour of exercise
to your daily routine five times a week. You'll establish
healthy habits that will take off the poudns - and help you keep
them off forever.
Secondly, decide just how much help you need. What motivates
you? Are you a private person by nature, or do you do best with
a lot of social support?
Are you a strong-willed person who can
decide to do something and 'just do it', or will you need help
overcoming temptation?
If you thrive on social motivation, joining a weight loss
program like Weight Watchers might be the best option for you.
You'll have social support, motivational rewards, and weekly
check-ins to help you stay on track and give you weight loss
goals to aim for.
Next, do you do best with regimented, strict instructions that
tell you exactly what you should do step by step, or are you
happiest and more comfortable with a little flexibility?
If you do best when you have strict guidelines to follow and
like routines, then look for a diet plan or weight loss program
that gives you daily menus with precsie measurements. While that
may believe restrictive to many people, the trick is to choose a
weight loss plan that works for you.
If restrictive diets and inflexible menus aren't for you, then
try a diet that gives you the option of mixing and matching your
meals within certain parameters.
Whether you count carbs or
calories, diets like the Atkins diet or Zone diet give you some
flexibility within the prescribed 'allowed foods'.
Finally, what is your weight loss goal? How much weight do you
want to lose?
How long have you been trying to lose weight? Will
quick results keep you motivated, or is slow-and-steady progress
all you really need?
If you would like for quick weight loss, try a quick-start with
the Atkins diet to strip off the early weight - a lot of it
water weight - so that you will see results immediately. When
your results from such restrcitive eating are slow, pick up the
activity by adding a little more exercise and vary your diet a
little. Most weight loss experts agree that your weight loss
goal should aim for a steady 1-2 pounds per week, but if you
need an extra boost, drop back to a more retsrictive pattern to
give your metabolism a little kick.
However, be careful...If you
stay with an exrtemely low calorie diet for too long you will
actually slow your metabolism and it will become more difficult
to lose weight.
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