We don’t have a shortage of information about weight loss. We find information on the Internet, magazines, books, and interviews. Everyone—from doctors, dieticians, nutritionists, to bodybuilders—has something to say about weight loss and diet programs. We listen to them, but what we refuse to hear is this tidbit: diet programs don’t work for everyone. You need to find the one that fits your lifestyle and body type. You can’t go on a pescatarian diet if you can’t even eat fish, for example.
Some people who want to lose weight take supplements to increase ketosis if they are following the keto program. There’s a small group of people, however, who experience increased cholesterol levels on a low-carb, high-fat diet. You need to talk with your doctor first before going on a keto diet program.
Budget
Can you afford to follow a diet program strictly? Some diet programs are incredibly hard to follow. You need to think about how much you can invest and how much you want to spend. Remember that you’re going to have to buy the right food, reading materials, and support services. You might even have to enroll in an exercise class and practice yoga and meditation. These will also require you to spend beyond your set budget.
The cost of the diet program isn’t a factor in its success. What matters is that you find a program that you can follow religiously. You also need to invest your money in a program that you can keep for the foreseeable future.
Health
Talk to your medical practitioner about the kind of diet programs you can get into. Depending on your medical history, you might have to follow a certain diet plan. People with diabetes, for example, have specific nutritional needs that limit the intake of certain food. The same goes for people who suffer from high blood pressure. They can’t take food that will increase their salt consumption. Patients with arthritis cannot bear heavy things, so weightlifting might not be the best exercise program for them.
Schedule
While there are diet programs that will deliver food according to your nutritional needs, these are expensive and usually not practical. You have to consider the amount of time it will take to prepare the food. Can you prepare it in advance? Can you do it during weekends and have them ready all week long? Be realistic. If your schedule simply doesn’t allow for you to ready your food for that specific program, then find one that’s easier to do.
Support
When you’re trying to be fitter, it can become hard to do it by yourself. Find a friend who’ll follow the same diet program as you. If you can’t convince anyone, find a support group that will guide you through the journey. Losing weight or trying to be fit is more than just depriving yourself of food. It’s about consciously following a program based on the nutrients that your body needs to lose or gain weight.
The right diet is the one that keeps you healthy and happy. If you’re feeling cranky and deprived, that program isn’t for you. Your mental well-being is just as important as your physical one.