Choosing A Diet - How To Find The Right Program For You

Because of my personal experience, I'm an expert of sorts on diet failure and success. I've failed on countless diets, but once I found the right one for me, I've been enormously successful. I'm approaching a sixty pound weight loss on Medifast and I feel like I have finally found my perfect match. It wasn't an easy journey though. I have failed on too many diets to count. I've been asked many times why this diet is working when so many others haven't. Here are my top three tips on choosing your perfect weight loss plan:

1. Be Honest And Determine A Realistic Commitment: Block out a few quiet, uninterrupted hours and determine what and how much you can realistically commit without feeling you're making an overwhelming sacrifice. For example, if you are considering Adkins, ask yourself if you can realistically cut out most carbs without feeling too deprived. I failed on Adkins many times because although I really hoped I could give up carbs, I now realize this just was not a realistic goal for me. Examine exactly what the diet plan is asking of you and make sure you are comfortable with these requests long term.

2. Ask Yourself If The Plan Aligns With Your Personality: Different diets have different levels of support and personal requirements. For example, Weight Watchers and Jenny Craig require you to meet with counselors and/or support groups to share your experiences. I am an introverted person and these meetings would've made me uncomfortable. I am sure that eventually I would've begun making excuses to avoid them and may have given up all together. I feel more comfortable with online resources and forums. However, I have friends in such programs who feel that this accountability has kept them on track. Every person is different and has their own preferences. Make sure you are honest about your own. There's no right or wrong answer. Dieting is hard enough without being asked to constantly travel outside of your comfort zone. If you feel uncomfortable on a regular basis, you may be tempted to abandon the diet.

3. Make Sure Your Commitment Is Firm And Embrace Positive Personal Growth: Even though finding the right diet makes the process easier, any plan is going to require you to have a firm commitment. Most plans will require you to change your habits and lifestyle somewhat. It's vitally important to view this as a new beginning and a chance for growth rather than a ball and chain. In order to be successful long term, you are going to have to embrace a new, healthier way of living. Go into your diet plan knowing that you are going to consciously make an exciting series of positive choices that could well change the course of your life. View each step as a gift and a new beginning rather than a sacrifice.

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