What To Know Before Embarking On A Weight Loss Program
There are many weight loss products, plans and programs available in the market. However, if most of these programs were effective we would see obesity trends reversing yet we are witnessing more and more people struggling with weight.
Experiences of dieters regaining pre-dieting weight within 5 years are common. Therefore, a fitness program that works in the long-term is something you should be looking for. Before reaching for your wallet or purse, make sure the program is exactly what it claims to be.
Tried-and-true method
If you cannot afford pre-packaged foods all your life but want to look healthy and not skinny, it is important to find a fitness plan that works right. Weight loss programs that focus on diet, physical exercise and thought & behavior change can prove extremely beneficial. There are numerous creative ways, packaged in various forms of products, plans and programs that can be employed to attain this goal.
- Professional endorsement
A good program should not insist on offering pills, injections, powders or similar products that are not endorsed by a medically trained professional (registered dietician and/or fitness physicians). Your choice of program should have been designed by a medically trained professional.
- Unrealistic promises
A good program should not make unrealistic promises, such as “To lose 5 pounds in a week, with no exercise!” Therefore, it is advisable to assess whether the promises being made are realistic. The plan should also have a high success rate of weight loss, with clients maintaining good health without spending lots of money on the same. If the Registered Dietician body does not recommend a certain plan or product, then you are better off avoiding the plan.
- Qualification
A weight loss program should consider the health of the applicant. It should consider their age, medical condition, gender, health background, medications and more, in order to customize a plan that caters for the needs of every applicant. A good program should incorporate diet and exercise in order to promote permanent and good health.
- Restrictions
A good program should not be overly restrictive on food allowances, such that you cannot eat foods from the main nutrient/food groups like fruits & vegetables, complex carbohydrates & grains, calcium-rich foods and proteins. A successful weight loss plan, for most people, should not involve less than 1,200 calories per day.
- Cost effective
A long-term program does not have to cost you lots of money. An effective plan that is reasonably priced can save you a substantial amount of money that can be invested in other healthy habits. This can in turn improve your lifespan.