From counting macros to The Zone Diet and even cutting out meat altogether, there are countless diets out there to choose from.
Additionally, everyone has an opinion about diets based on what has and has not worked for them, but what’s best for you? Everyone is different, which means what worked for your sister, friend, or co-worker, might not work for you. You need a specific plan tailored to you–something that’s sustainable for the long-term.
A truly effective diet means changing your lifestyle, not following a fad diet. Doing a restrictive diet for 24-30 days then going back to old habits will not yield the results you are looking for.
So what does an effective diet plan look like? There are a few key elements you want to start with, including:
- Setting realistic goals
- Creating action steps to help you stay on track
- Tracking your progress.
You can also take measurements such as body fat and weight to monitor your progress. Tracking your food is another great way to help you stay on track with your nutrition. I recommend MyFitnessPal to track your food.
Accountability is another piece of the puzzle that’s often missing. What kind of support system do you have around you to help you stay on track?
At WLRCF, we have clients go through Phase 1, which is the initial month to determine your baseline, set goals, gain nutrition education and customize a plan, then move to Phase 2. During Phase 2, clients will meet with a nutrition coach to track progress, review food logs, provide continuous support and tweak their plan.
Lack of accountability is one of the main reasons why 80-97% of the people who lose weight will regain it within the first five years.
What are you doing to ensure you aren’t part of that statistic?
Here Are A Few Tips To Get You Started:
– Start with the basics and focus on whole foods
– Shop the perimeter of the grocery store
– Don’t replace real food with supplements and food products unless in a bind.
– Measure out your food
– Focus on the plate method: 1/2 plate non-starchy veggies, 1/4 starch, 1/4 protein
– Drink lots of water!
– Get into a good routine of eating consistently and not skipping meals
Where are you getting your nutrition information from?
- -Many online plans are a “copy&paste template with your name on it.
- Juice + Smoothie places are not going to cause weight-loss/ weight-gain. They are there to sell drinks, not provide results. The plan, tracking, and accountability is still on you or a professional.
Make sure that you are asking questions of anyone who is providing you with nutrition information to ensure they are truly experts.
- What training have you had in nutrition?
- What is your practice philosophy?
- What makes your plan effective long-term?
As we mentioned at the beginning, the same plan doesn’t work for everyone. You need something that will fit into your lifestyle and help you achieve your goals.
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