The Best Weight Loss Program Is the Most Realistic One

By Sandra J Cole

In our desperation to shed pounds and achieve the ideal figure, we tend to resort to drastic measures. Fasting, giving up carbohydrates and subsisting on liquid diets and chemical supplements are a few examples of unhealthy choices. The market also happens to be flooded with different types of diets created by different doctors and health gurus, that the choices can be overwhelming for the average dieter. In fact, some of them require you to look for exotic ingredients that are sold in specialty stores frequented by chefs (read: expensive).

But if you look at weight maintenance at its core, it really all boils down to certain lifestyle changes. True weight loss can't be achieved and sustained over a limited period of time. It requires you to develop permanent habits that will not only remove excess poundage but also keep it off well into your golden years. The best weight loss program for any person not only calls for an overhaul of your lifestyle, but also poses realistic suggestions. To give you an idea of what they are, here are five examples:

1. The best weight loss program gives you a comprehensive - not restrictive - menu of food items that you can choose from. The recommended dishes must also be easy to prepare and pocket-friendly; no fancy ingredients, no high-tech cooking gadgets required. It must also be flexible in the sense that if you are unable to obtain a particular ingredient, then you can substitute it for something else. The problem with other diet programs is that they are so ironclad that they leave no room for substitution, which poses a real headache for the dieter whose friendly neighborhood grocer doesn't have a wide variety of stock. Such minor irritations can lead to frustration and end with the dieter giving up on the entire program.

2. Another key feature of the best weight loss program is that it does not forbid you to eat your favorite foods but instead encourages you to have them in healthier portions. It's a realistic and welcome trade off. You can still have your white chocolate cheesecake, but this time in a smaller slice and not your usual slab and without drizzling it with raspberry sauce. This trade off is one of the examples of lifestyle changes that are kind to a struggling dieter and easy to incorporate into daily eating patterns.

3. Exercise should be a component of the best weight loss program you can pick for yourself. However, the program should not impose expensive gym memberships or fancy exercise gadgets on you. If you can afford it, then by all means sign up for one and learn more about healthy lifestyle changes and other diet tips from your personal trainer. But essentially it should give you inexpensive options - whether it's jogging around your neighborhood or working out with simple weights in your very own home. The venue is not important. What matters is the QUALITY of your workout.

4. It encourages you to give up unhealthy vices like smoking and drinking but not to do it cold turkey. Realistically speaking, the cold turkey method will only leave you crying for your fix after just a few days. The key is to do it gradually. For example, if you enjoy having cocktails three times a week with your co-workers, start paring them down to twice a week, then once a week. Lifestyle changes as far as your vices are concerned should be worked on slowly but surely in order to avoid relapses.

5. The best weight loss program not does forbid you from accepting invitations to parties and other special occasions like weddings were there will surely be a lot of food served. Too many harsh diet programs insist that we decline social invites so we don't break our diet streak. But that is quite unfair to the dieter, and a good program will always make room for special occasions while giving tips on how to get back on the diet wagon after you've indulged.

In summation, the best weight loss program is one that can be easily and realistically incorporated into your daily routine and budget. It does not demand the most exotic or expensive ingredients and complementary diet aids. It does not impose Draconian methods or deprivation tactics. All it asks of you is the ability to make sensible lifestyle changes, make healthy and informed choices and a real desire to get into the best shape you can be. Keep in mind that no program will work if you don't have that internal motivation to be fit and trim. You have to really want it in order to succeed.

Don't fall for fad diets and unhealthy weight loss supplements. The best weight loss program offers sensible suggestions and easy to follow tips without resorting to drastic measures.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Sandra_J_Cole

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6819077