Weight Loss Programs

You've made the decision to lose some weight. Now which weight loss program do you choose? Who do you trust?

With so much information available - on the internet, in newspapers and magazines, and of course in the bookshop - it is difficult for a dieter to know who to believe and which way to turn. To add to the confusion, much of the information you read will be conflicting. Some people swear by low carbohydrate diets. Other people claim that low carbohydrate diets are ineffectual and even dangerous! What do we do?

At Losing It My Way we believe that, above all, a weight loss program must be healthy. We do not believe in fad diets. We do not believe in exclusion diets. And we do not believe in Very Low Calorie Diets, unless recommended and supervised by your doctor.

How do I choose the right weight loss program for me?

We suggest that you choose a weight loss program based on a number of factors:

1. Does it suit your way of life? There is no point choosing a diet that involves huge amounts of cooking if you know you won't go near the kitchen.
2. Do you believe it is healthy? We all know what constitutes a healthy diet, and common sense should scare you away from any weight loss program which seems quirky or unduly repetitive.
3. Is there variety? Dieters get bored easily - and so they should!
4. Do you have to buy that particular program's weight loss products? Beware! This is a moneymaking scheme, not a genuine weight loss program.
5. Does the program rely on supplements or drugs? Is that really the way you want to go, or are you just looking for a quick fix?
6. Does the program recommend exercise? Will you be able to exercise on the amount and type of food that the diet recommends?
7. Above all, will you be able to eat with your family, enjoy special occasions, and be part of the normal world?

This last point is, in our view, by far the most important. Whether you have a little bit of weight to lose, or a huge amount, you are still - first and foremost - a human being! If you are a mother, you will have to buy, prepare and serve food to your children. If you have a social life, you will not want to put it on hold while you lose weight. You must be able to happily integrate your eating plan with your normal, everyday life. Any wieght loss program which subjects you to living a separate existence, even for the short term, dooms you to failure before you begin. 

Next: The best weight loss program for you

See also: Diets and Diet Programs Reviewed