Effective fat burning diets all combine two key elements. Fewer calories are consumed (diet) and more fat is burned (exercise). All the popular diets give you about the same number of daily calories. Whether you go with Weight Watchers, South Beach, or Jenny Craig, your daily calorie allowances will be virtually the same.
Today’s fat burning diets have much in common, but they emphasize different strategies to help you learn to eat in a healthy and balanced way.
The Weight Watchers program is popular because you get to eat whatever you want. The amount you get, however, is limited. The more fruits, veggies, whole grains, and other fat burning food you eat, the more food you get. The plan is comprised of low glycemic-index foods that, because they’re high in fiber, make you feel fuller longer, even though you eat less.
A balanced Weight Watchers diet is basically no different than the Low Glycemic Index Diet, Volumetrics, or Dr. Phil’s sensible eating tips.
The Mediterranean Diet combines a fat burning food like protein-rich fish and good-fat olive oil with fruits, veggies, and complex carbohydrates. Should you prefer the Dean Ornish plan, eliminate meat while reducing fat. If you like the Zone, increase fat and decrease carbohydrates.
These diets are marketed in different ways to make each one seem unique. But except for low-carbohydrate diets like Atkins, any one will work as well as the others.
It doesn’t really matter which diet you choose, as long as you use it in a balanced way. You can even design your own diet based on nutritious foods you like. As long as you reduce total calories, you’ll have an effective diet plan.
Build regular exercise into your program so you’ll feel good and look better. Be vigilant about keeping the weight off. If a few pounds start creeping back, deal with them right away. It’s easier to lose three pounds than it is to lose ten.
The biggest challenge of getting fit is learning and practicing new ways of eating. A new eating plan is something you’ll have to implement for life. Yes, you can increase the calories a bit after you’ve reached your goal, but if you revert to your previous eating style, you’ll soon be back to square one.
Anyone who successfully loses weight and keeps it off will tell you it’s not about dieting for a few months. It’s about making a lifestyle change that lasts forever.
Stayed tuned to the second half of this report tomorrow where I share the key factors when choosing a fat burning diet program. See you then!
