How To Find The Top Weight Loss Program For You

With more than 4500 diets and weight loss programs to select from, and various celebrities promoting the benefits of all of them, it is hard to decide which diet is the right diet for you.

The following are crucial steps to finding your optimal weight management plan:

Step One: First decide if you really need to lose weight by considering the following questions:

- What is your lifestyle? Are you generally more physically active or sedentary? Regular physical activity and healthy eating are

important, no matter what your weight or your Body Mass Index.

- What is your family history? Does high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, or other weight-related ailments run in your family? If so, then it's extremely important that you maintain a healthy weight.

- What is your personal weight history? People who have consistently gained (or repeatedly gained and lost) weight over the years need be careful of their health. Many experts say your Body Mass Index should not increase dramatically at any time of your life. Even a moderate weight gain in adulthood can increase your risk of diabetes, heart disease and more.

- How is your weight distributed? Extra weight near your stomach or midsection is a sure danger sign. This extra weight is an indicator of future health problems, including heart disease. A waist measurement of 40 inches or more in men and 35 inches or more in women indicates a health risk, particularly in people with a Body Mass Index of 25-34.

- What do the tests show? If your cholesterol and/or blood pressure levels are high and your BMI falls into the overweight or obese category, it's important to lose weight and maintain that weight.

- How do you feel? If you are overweight, joint pain, shortness of breath, trouble sleeping and moodiness are sure signs that losing weight is a must – both for your health and your quality of life.

Step Two: What should you look for in a top weight loss program?

1. Your weight loss goals. How much do you need to lose? If you’re very overweight or obese, then consider a structured program with a nutritionist or guidance counselor and even group support. Losing large amounts of weight is a challenge and you deserve all of the support that you can get.

If you're slightly or moderately overweight, consider a popular program that will teach you to make immediate lifestyle changes like portion control and better food choices. Both weight loss goals will benefit from an exercise program to not only assist in losing the weight but in maintaining your new weight.

2. Your weight loss personality. What is your weight loss personality? Some people tend to be impulsive eaters who can be tempted by the slightest suggestion. A pizza commercial on television prompts them to pick up the phone, and seeing a child eating an ice cream cone sends them to the local dairy. A chocolate bar or bag of chips on the counter doesn’t stand a chance.

Other people tend to eat without paying any attention to what or when they are eating. Nighttime snacking can be one of the

most difficult times. Social eaters eat when they’re out with friends, and if you’re a very social person then the weight can quickly build up. Emotional eaters eat when they’re upset, stressed, or feeling out of control.

It is important to know your personality so that you can determine what your challenges might be and thus choose a diet program that specifically addresses your particular issues. For example, if you’re a social eater then you may simply need a program that teaches portion control and proper nutrition so that when you’re out you make better, more conscious, food decisions.

3. Weight loss goals. To be successful, it helps to understand why you want to lose weight and how much weight you want to or need to lose. Before you begin a weight loss plan, ask yourself:

- Am I ready to lose weight?

- What is motivating me to lose weight and will it continue to motivate me until I reach my goal?

- How will I handle weight loss setbacks, plateaus, or a complete lack of progress?

- Can I focus on losing the weight? Can I commit completely to my weight loss goal?

4. Make sure the diet is safe. Any diet should include all of the recommended daily allowances for vitamins, minerals and protein. The weight loss diet should only be lower in calories, not in essential vitamins or minerals. Consult with your doctor if you’re unsure about any particular diet or weight loss program.

5. Slow, steady weight loss. Any top weight loss program worth its salt understands that lasting weight loss happens slowly. The diets that promise the loss of 30 pounds in 30 days are dangerous. With most diets, you can expect to lose a pound a week after the first week or two. Often the first two weeks of a diet will result in rapid weight loss due to the loss of fluid. This weight will generally be regained when you return to a more normal diet.

6. Fees. When inquiring about a commercial weight loss program, make sure to ask for a statement of the fees and costs of

additional items such as dietary supplements or foods.

Other important questions to ask of any potential weight loss program include:

- If there are support staff, who determines your weight loss goals – the staff or yourself?

- Is the support staff certified to assist you? Are there weight loss counselors, nutritionists, registered dietitians, doctors and

exercise physiologists available for support and consultation?

- Are your food choices flexible and suitable? Do they meet your lifestyle needs?

- What percentage of people successfully completes the program?

- What is the average weight loss of people who finish the program?

- How long does it generally take to lose the weight?

- What percentage of participants has problems or side effects? What are they?

- Does the program encourage exercise as a part of the weight loss program?

- Does the program teach you lifestyle changes so that you can maintain your weight once you’ve reached your goal?

- Does the program provide what you are looking for? If you’re looking for a group support system, does the program meet those needs? If you’re looking for a structured meal plan, does it provide that structure?

- Does the program utilize weight loss medications? If your chosen program suggests weight loss medication, supplements or

‘alternative remedies’, you should first speak with your doctor.

- Does the program screen you for health risks? If you are extremely overweight, you should look for a program that takes your health situation and risks into consideration when making recommendations.

- Does your program include plans for weight maintenance after you’ve reached your target weight? Yo-Yo dieting is detrimental to your health. It is important to find a program that teaches you how to maintain a healthy weight for life.