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The most effective weekly diet plans are the
ones that offer variety and long term teachings
of new eating habits, all built around meal planning for a single week.
Since everyone has a
different metabolism and lifestyle, and no one diet plan can be the ultimate
answer for
everyone, you must find the diet plan that works the best for you.
Developing a weekly diet
plan is one way to do that. (Please remember that it's a good idea to
consult your physician
before beginning any new diet plan.)
Over the years, many diet pills and regimens were marketed as revolutionary,
with all sorts of
guarantees, and came with diets that were so restrictive that they couldn't
possibly be
followed for more than a week or so. The pills back then generally did
little to curb
appetites, although a few brands did have a slight degree of success.
Dieters' wishes frequently are diametrically opposed to medical science.
Even though it takes
a while to pack on those pounds, it takes even longer to get rid of them.
Nevertheless,
everyone wants to see immediate results and out of sheer desperation people
have resorted to
many faddish and ineffective diet plans over the years. Surgeries were
invented for the
clinically obese, and entire medical clinics were set up to take advantage
of the people that
were willing to spend a lot of money on mostly ineffective diet plans and
weight loss
regimens.
Successful weekly diet plans provide foods that are palatable, ones we
already like, and
include the appropriate vitamin or mineral supplements to complement those
foods. Too much
sacrifice isn't going to change anyone's eating habits or lifestyle for more
than a few days
at best. Diet plans of yesterday included meal plans of less than 1200
calories a day, made up
of foods we didn't even like. Skim milk, sugar substitutes, cottage cheese -
many people could
barely swallow some of these foods. Couple that with a constant feeling of
hunger, and it's no
wonder these diets and the followers failed miserably.
Unlike strict diets of a few decades ago that provided about 1200 calories a
day that
consisted of foods most people didn't even like (skim milk, fake butter,
cottage cheese, etc.)
in quantities that kept dieters hungry constantly, these new plans are
constructed around
foods we like in amounts that still allow weight loss. Dieters can consult
so-called glycemic
indices for information on foods that strike the proper balance between the
"good carbs" and
the "bad carbs" for their weekly diet plans. The use of additional
nutritional supplements
from well-regarded companies like Mother Nature, Botanic Choice, and
VitaDigest are also
commonly used to fill any vitamin or mineral deficiencies found in either
diet meal programs
or the meals you cook yourself.
Today, medical science has a better understanding of metabolism, energy
needs, and the
psychology of weight loss. Some of the most successful diet plans include
pre-packaged and
pre-measured foods along with constant supervision by a medical professional
or trained
counselor. Some plans such as Jenny Craig or Bistro MD provide personal
counselors to talk
with if you have questions, or are tempted by foods that are totally off
limits. Of course,
these plans cost money and not everyone can afford to get involved with one
for long enough to
lose the necessary weight, but there are many alternatives.
Along with dieting, most doctors and diet plans almost insist on increasing
your level of
activity and suggest an hour of mild exercise a few times a week. If you
aren't used to this,
you might find your appetite is actually increasing and you are hungrier
than you should be.
Work closely with your medical professional to find a plan that works for
you. Not every
exercise plan is going to be compatible with the needs and likes of every
individual. The most
effective weekly diet plans all include some element - no matter how minimal
- of physical
activity.
No matter what plan interests you, just make sure it's one you can commit
to. Remember, it's
really an ongoing lifestyle change you're trying to make here, not just a
short-term commitment that yields little to no longer-term benefits. |