How to Choose a Weight Loss Diet and Fitness Plan

Don’t go for the latest fad. That’s probably the best advice I’ve been given on how to choose a weight loss diet and fitness plan. It’s so tempting to go for the latest hot diets, especially when it seems as if it works for everyone you talk to.

But people are different and a fad weight loss diet and fitness plan may not always take into consideration a fitness strategy where it counts: keeping the weight off.

What’s worse is that if you are a chronic dieter (meaning you periodically deprive your body of food) you may end up on a fitness plateau where you no longer loose weight no matter how little you eat and no matter what weight loss diet and fitness plan you use! Talk about a nightmare!

The Diet
So, what’s a good diet plan for you? To find this out, you need to consider three things:

1. Your health. Certain diets that limit you to certain types of foods may be harmful if you have a preexisting health condition that may grow worse because you’re eating too much of them.

For example, tomatoes and tomato products are great cancer-fighting foods that are great sources of nutrients for most dieting plans. But the high uric acid content may aggravate arthritis and rheumatism.

If you have allergies or intolerance for certain foods (e.g., lactose, seafood, etc.) it is best to consult a doctor or dietician that can tailor-make a balanced diet for you.

2. Food preferences. One of the reasons enthusiastic diet planners turn into discouraged dieters is they soon discover that they do not like certain foods enough to eat them for more than a week or two. In fact, some may even develop an aversion to the foods prescribed in a diet.

Does this describe your experience? Then look for a diet with foods that you like eating or, better yet, one that emphasizes variety as well.

3. Availability. Beginning a diet that recommends fruits out of season or produce that’s difficult to find in your area may make you want to give up soon after you start. So make sure the diet you choose offers variety as well as alternatives; better yet one that recommends recipes you can prepare throughout the year.

The Workout
A good weight loss diet and fitness plan will have components that complement each other. If you want to lose weight and not gain visible mass for example, you should be planning your exercise regimen to include strength training and aerobic workouts.

If you start lifting weights at the gym without the benefit of a trainer, you may be building bulk where you don’t really want it. Yes, you want to gain muscle and lose fat, but if you want a long, lean look then here are examples of what your workout should include:

1. Cardio-vascular exercise (e.g., treadmill) or aerobic class.
2. Pilates for strength, flexibility, and a sculpted body.
3. Aerobic sports like a regular romp through the park or a regular swim.

The key to a good weight loss diet and fitness plan is one that motivates you to keep eating right and keep moving. This means when planning your fitness strategy go for foods you like and for breaking the monotony of the gym with sports you enjoy.