Choosing the right diet plan can be a daunting task. With numerous plans promising to be the best weight loss program ever and offering amazing results, it can be difficult to choose the one that is right for you. That being said, it’s important to be prepared before you start. There are a number of things that need to be considered to ensure that the plan will not only provide great results, but will also improve your health.

1. Is It Safe?

Here at Glenville Nutrition we advise that while it may be important to lose weight, it’s never appropriate to do so at the expense of your health. There are some pretty drastic weight loss programs on the market today. From eating nothing but baby food, to very strict detox plans, these types of diets can lead to longer term health issues.  It is important therefore you ensure you will receive adequate nutrition throughout the plan to achieve natural weight loss and avoid complications.

Furthermore, when it comes to supplements, it is  important to do your research and avoid any harmful ingredients or side-effects.  There is no such thing as a magic pill for weight loss, but certain key nutrients can support healthy metabolism and blood sugar management.

2. Can I Keep It Up?

One of the biggest reasons people fail to complete a diet is that they find it difficult to maintain. Diets with ridiculous rules and restrictions are notorious for being difficult to stick to.   Don’t embark on any plan that you feel is unrealistic or even unsafe in the longer term.

Diets, by their very nature, require a lifestyle change, but some changes are easier and healthier than others. You need to find a plan you can work with. While compromises must be made, if a plan consists of something that’s difficult to do, you are already setting yourself up for failure.

3. Will It Affect My Daily Life?

Another huge deterrent to diets is that it changes a person’s way of life. Obviously, diets require some sort of change in lifestyle and you must be able to make the required changes to see the results. However, the plan you chose should not completely control your life. Instead, it should be manageable within your normal life. For example, it should teach good habits that can be implemented into normal activities, such as dining out. It shouldn’t control your life, but rather help to modify (and improve) it.

4. Will It Provide Long Term Results?

It’s not uncommon to gain back the weight after a diet. This is because often the chosen diet plan was a quick fix rather than a change in lifestyle.  Instead of a diet, a truly beneficial healthy eating plan should teach you how to modify your habits to stay healthy and manage your weight long term. It should be something that lasts a lifetime, not just a few weeks or months.

5. Is It Personalised?

There’s no “one size fits all” plan. Everyone’s body is different. We all react differently to exercise and food, making it difficult to see success in generic diet plans. Most of these are formulated for people who are of moderate height and activity level. If you don’t fit into that category, you will likely see lackluster results. It is better therefore to choose a plan that is personalised for your body and lifestyle. With a custom plan, you will see much better results and find it easier to follow.

Starting a plan is a big first step in getting healthy. The choice of plan is something that should not be taken lightly. And you need to ask the right questions to get the knowledge you need to succeed. The right plan can make all the difference. Instead of failing and starting over with something new, do your research, choose the right plan and see results that will last a lifetime.

If you would like to know more about losing weight and learning to manage it, why not book an appointment with one of our qualified nutritionists? Fill out the form or give us a call on 01892 515905