Looking for the best diets? There are literally thousands of diets out there - so how do you find the best one for you?
Well, the best diets all have most or all of these 5 Key Success Factors - some of which may surprise you! Keep these factors in mind when choosing your next diet and you're guaranteed to pick a winner:
#1 Fast Results
A diet that gives you fast results - especially at the beginning - will inspire you to stick with it and keep going.
I know most of us feel weird admitting we want to lose weight FAST but there's nothing to be ashamed of in that. It's actually smart to want to get the most weight loss bang for your buck.
While I'm not advocating fad diets that say you'll lose 50 pounds in a month, there are diets out there that take off the pounds fast - and safely.
Seeing fast weight loss results (even if it's water weight) is a great encouragement. There's nothing more motivating than feeling your formally tight pants swimming loose around your middle or stepping on the scale and seeing you've dropped several pounds in a week. It will keep you on the plan and going strong.
#2 Easy To Follow
Most diets fail, not because of bland tasting food or sabotaging mothers. They fail because they don't mesh with your lifestyle. They're just not easy to follow
For example, if you've got a busy career, kids, a dog and a husband - you probably don't have time to try a diet that requires you to spend hours each day making special meals.
If you love to run or do some other intense exercise, you're not going to feel well on an ultra-low carb diet since your muscles need the glucose for fuel.
If you live for your morning Starbucks every day, you won't appreciate a plan that involves cutting out caffeine. Examine your lifestyle and make the best diet program fit in with that - not the other way around.
#3 Balanced and Safe
While the best diet programs are fast and easy, they should still be healthy and balanced - with a wide variety of foods.
No cutting out entire food groups. No drastic calorie cuts (I'm sorry but 400 calories a day is not healthy!). No crazy exercise routines. Forget it.
Stick with diet plans that are also healthy and balanced. They give you a wide variety of foods and a balance of proteins, carbs and fats.
Make sure, for example, that they include enough protein so you won't start burning lean muscle mass for energy (which often happens on an ultra-low-calorie diet). And a wide variety of natural, whole foods is also a good sign.
Bottom line? Balance baby. If a diet doesn't sound healthy, it probably isn't - and you don't want to take chances with your health just to lose a few pounds.
#4 Lets You Eat 'Treats'
Every good weight loss plan needs its treats - whether that's one cheat day a week, a small dessert you love, a chocolate fix or even a glass of wine with dinner. You need your treats.
Diets can be a challenge. Just like you can't work for 12 hours straight, you also can't be in 'diet mode' for days at a time. You need to take breaks and treat yourself so that you can get back on the weight loss train and keep riding.
The best diet programs all allow for treats. Maybe you're a chocoholic so you want a small piece every day or maybe you need that glass of wine. Look for a program that appeals to your personal treat preference.
#5 Gives You Support
No dieter is an island. Online or phone support can help you stick to the diet and reach your goal weight faster. Connecting with others or plotting your weight loss course can make losing weight both fun and informative.
While this isn't always a necessity - depending on your personality - many people like to have tools and/or support ready if they want to use it.
For example, several diet programs will send you inspiring emails every day or recipes. They may have a diet forum where you can ask questions. Or maybe there's a phone line that you can call if you have questions or need some motivation.
Having support is a great way to keep you on the program and pushing towards your goal - and you may even meet some great friends along the way!
So those are 5 key factors when choosing the best diet program - keep them in mind and you're guaranteed to enjoy losing weight and finding a new thinner you!
- Prev:Fast Weight Loss Diets - Why The Best Diets Take Off Weight Fast
- Next:What To Exect When Recovering From Tummy Tuck Surgery