Choosing a Safe and Successful Weight Loss Program
Weight Gain is a major concern among many of the adults and millennials in the modern world. To remedy it, there are a lot of weight loss programs offered to help you reduce the excess weight. We often see different programs through magazines, TV, newspapers, radio, and websites that promise to help you lose weight. These programs often include a combination of a diet plan and exercise activity to help you lose weight.
Now, there are different weight loss programs available to follow that caters to certain individuals. If you are interested in losing extra weight but don’t know which weight loss program is best for you, then this post will guide you in choosing the right one.
Get our 10 Weight Loss Secrets Guide >>
6 Steps to Fat Loss Forever >>
Talk to your doctor first
Before beginning your weight loss journey, it is essential that you talk to your doctor. You might have a medical condition that restricts you from doing a certain exercise. Or you might not able to follow certain diet-plan due to medication. So, it is important that you consult with your doctor before beginning any new diet or exercise program.
You will also get important information regarding your optimal BMI, weight, and other health-related information from your doctor or health-care professional that will help you to choose the right weight-loss program for you.
Things to Consider in a Weightloss Program
There are a variety of factors that composite a good weight loss program. A single weight-loss plan will not be suitable for everyone as it will change upon an individual’s need. To choose a diet plan that will meet with your liking, you should consider the following things:
Cost and Time
Some weight-loss programs are much more costly than others as they demand you to buy certain exercise equipment and meals. Some weight-loss programs also include visiting clinics and support meetings. So, you need to spend your time when you follow these types of weight loss plans.
If you have time and money, then you can choose any premium weight loss program. However, if you have limited time and budget, then you should definitely try a different weight loss plan as it may interfere with your day-to-day life.
Get our FREE Fat Loss Guide >>
Health Condition
Your current health condition also affects how you choose the weight-loss program.
If you are on daily medication or have any condition that restricts you from following a certain diet, then you should choose your weight-loss program carefully. For example, some people cannot run for long or lift heavy weights because of certain cardiac or bone conditions. So, they should carefully choose their weight loss program as it may interfere with their condition.
As mentioned earlier, it is best to consult with your doctor before choosing a weight loss program.
Take Your Health Self-Assessment >>
Preferred Diet Plan
There are different diet-plans present in different weight-loss programs. You should pick one that suits you best.
- A flexible diet-plan has food items from all food groups and doesn’t restrict you from having certain food types. It is good for people who are new to weight loss programs and young people.
- A balanced diet plan is like flexible dieting but puts restrictions on how much you can intake certain food items. It is a safe and healthy diet-plan and is suitable for young and older people alike.
- Other plans like high-protein, low carbohydrates, low fat, and low calories include a severe restriction on certain food types. It will give you a rapid weight loss than the aforementioned types, but you should choose carefully as they do not suit everyone.
Learn more about Proper Diet >>
Other Factors
Some other factors that you should consider are the risks and the success of the different weight loss programs. Some programs will have inherent risks but may give you quick success in reducing weight. While others don’t have high risks or good success.
You should do some research behind the science and technique of each weight loss program. Then choose the one that you think is best for you.
6 Steps to Fat Loss Forever >>
Popular Weight Loss Programs
1. Mayo Clinic Diet-Plan
The experts at the Mayo Clinic have created a popular weight loss program that is suitable for most people. It includes good guidelines to lose excess weight along with living a sustainable life.
You should follow this plan if you intend to live a healthy lifestyle and have a diet that sticks with you for life.
The two main parts of this program are the losing and living phase. The losing phase happens for the first two weeks where you lose up to 5 kilograms by modifying your diet. The living phase helps you to keep your optimal weight permanently. It is a lifelong approach.
The Mayo Clinic diet plan encourages you to have a good amount of healthy foods that are low on calories such as fruits, vegetables, and whole-grain meals. You also get lean protein food items like fish, unsaturated-fats, etc.
The thing to know is that this food-plan doesn’t eliminate any food items for you to have. You can eat everything but in certain portions.
Also, this plan also encourages you to do at least 30 minutes of exercise every day. You should also be active throughout your day like taking stairs instead of the lift, etc.
By following this plan, you not only get to reduce your weight, but you also reduce your chances of developing chronic health conditions; such as diabetes, heart-related problems, high cholesterol, High Blood Pressure, etc.
This plan is one of the most practical and sustainable weight-loss programs for all that you can follow all your life.
When you’re dieting, it’s always recommended to track your weight using weighing scales.
2. Intermittent Fasting
This diet-plan is now the most popular among the young generation. Intermittent fasting includes a time period throughout the day where you can eat and then fast for the rest.
There are different forms of Intermittent fasting that exist today based on the time periods and calories such as 16/8, 5:2, etc.
- In the 16/8 method, you can only eat for 8 hours per day and continue fasting for the other 16 hours per day.
- In the 5:2 method, you should only take around 500-600 calories for 2 days per week and continue your normal diet for the rest of the days.
By restricting the time and calories that you should intake, Intermittent fasting works well in reducing your weight. If you don’t eat too much in the rest of the time, you can see significant weight loss by following this program.
Studies show that intermittent fasting can reduce up to 8 percent of your weight in just 5-6 months. It can also reduce your belly fat, which is the most harmful fat in our body, by 4-7%.
Research into the intermittent fasting also shows that it can improve your mental health, increase your insulin sensitivity, and reduce inflammation.
Intermittent fasting is a popular weight-loss plan with a lot of health benefits. But it also has its fair share of risks. While it is generally safe for young and healthy people to follow, the same cannot be said for people with a medical condition. People with diabetes, eating disorders, low weight, and pregnant women should talk with their health care professional before following this diet.
3. Paleo Diet
Another popular weight loss program along with intermittent fasting is the paleo diet. It follows the principle of eating foods that our ancestors took before they developed agriculture to lead a healthy life.
Weight gain along with the chronic diseases that plague the modern world can be linked to modern processed foods. If you avoid these foods, then your weight automatically reduces.
In the paleo diet, you get to eat food that is rich in lean protein such as meat, nuts, and seeds; along with different fruits and vegetables. You also limit the food that is processed and rich in calories such as sugar, dairy, etc.
Now, there are different versions of the paleo diet available that includes and restricts different food categories. But overall, following the paleo diet, reduces the number of calories you intake every day.
Studies show that by following the paleo diet, one can significantly reduce their weight along with harmful belly fat. As you intake only foods that are rich in proteins, you get to reduce the risk of developing heart-related problems, high cholesterol, and diabetes.
Like Intermittent fasting, the Paleo diet has risks for some people. People who have kidney problems or other related conditions cannot intake high-amount of calories. So, they should consult with their doctor before following this diet.
It also restricts you to have whole grain and dairy that are healthy and nutritious.
4. Plant-Based Diet
In a plant-based vegetarian diet, you are restricted to have anything outside of plant-related food items.
Foods such as meat, dairy, eggs, honey, and other animal-derived products are restricted in this diet. Plant-based items such as whole grains, vegetables, and fruits are encouraged in this diet.
This diet works well in reducing weight as it contains food that is high in fiber and starch. It keeps your stomach full for a long time, thus reducing the number of calories you intake every day.
Studies too show that people who follow a vegan diet can reduce their weight significantly while also reducing their risk of having heart problems, diabetes, and other chronic conditions.
While the plant-based diet is safe for everyone, you get to lose nutrients such as Vitamin B12, D, calcium, zinc, iodine, etc that are exclusively found in animal-derived products.
5. Low Carb & Low Fat Diets
Low carb and Low fat diet-plans have been popular for decades because of the results they provide in reducing excess weight.
- The Low Carbohydrate Diet focuses on intaking a high amount of proteins and fats while limiting foods that have carbs.
- The Low Fat Diet focuses on intaking carbohydrates and protein instead of fat.
Studies have shown that these diet plans are good in reducing your weight; especially the harmful belly fat. They can also reduce your risk of developing heart disease, high cholesterol, high Blood Pressure, and diabetes.
While these diet plans are generally considered safe and good for everyone, they are not suited for all. While some may feel good on the low carbohydrate or low-fat diet, others may feel miserable.
6. Ketogenic (High-Fat) Diet
The Ketogenic Diet is a high-fat, moderate-protein, and low-carb diet plan. The Keto Diet mainly restricts carbohydrates and is best for those with carb or sugar addictions. Learn More >>
When you’re dieting, it’s always recommended to track your weight using weighing scales.
6 Steps to Fat Loss Forever >>
Conclusion
You have to understand that there is no perfect weight loss plan that works for everyone. So, you should carefully consider all the factors and choose the one that suits you best. We hope you got some information on choosing a successful weight loss program to live a long healthy life.