If you are anything like the other 56 million Americans who will go on a diet this year, you are most likely searching for the best diet for you.
Options for diets seem unlimited and can be anything from the South Beach Diet, Keto, Whole30, Weight Watchers, or Noom.
And unfortunately, the odds are against dieters. It is well known that as high as 95% of diets fail!
The author of Forget Weight Loss Fads Your Diet Won’t Work Anyway shared that by the time a woman is 56, she will have tried 61 diets! And, the average woman spends 31 years of her life dieting. With these stats in mind, it is even more important to choose the best diet for you!
Tips For Choosing The Best Diet For You
Cut through the advertising, promotions, and glammed up pictures
We all get sucked into those amazing before and after weight loss photos! Isn’t it crazy how the unhappy girl loses ten pounds and then looks 20 years younger and ecstatic with absolutely no saggy skin? I don’t know about you, but I’d like a glass of what she’s having! Stop, breathe, don’t make an emotional purchase, and take a moment to research the diet first.
Keep your special dietary restrictions in mind
I guess it’s time for a quick weight loss confession…. A few years ago, I worked with a woman who was a few years older than me who was svelte, looked amazingly young, and had boundless energy. She was a walking Keto billboard. I decided I had to have some of what she was having and ordered five hundred dollars worth of Keto food from a Keto meal delivery service. Two days later, I was literally doubled over in pain. I am extremely dairy intolerant – ugh. And my body just can’t digest an uber-high amount of fat. So, as you may have guessed, Keto is “not my diet”. Don’t be a “Tanya”. Be mindful of your dietary restrictions when choosing the best diet for you.
Make sure your diet includes foods that make you feel good
Most of us have come to realize things about ourselves and the foods that make us feel good. Some of us feel best when we eat a certain amount of protein every day. A while ago I did a 100-day round of the Whole30 and learned that I am at my best when I eat a little healthy fat at each meal. Make sure whatever foods make you feel great are incorporated into your new diet.
Match your skills and abilities in the kitchen with the diet you choose
So many diets expect you to become indentured servants in the kitchen. This can take a huge toll on the perspective dieter especially if they are trying to work and live life. There are a lot of amazing meal services out there that can help but be mindful of what you are getting yourself into. On the other hand, there are people who love to cook and enjoy making new things, so they may enjoy diets that require cooking daily.
Learn from your diet mistakes
Before signing up for another diet, take some time to reflect on what went wrong during your past diets. Also, think about what went well and what you liked the most about the other diets. This should give you some meaningful clues to help you determine the best diet for you.
Just because it was once a perfect diet for you doesn’t mean it always will be
It is so easy to go back to what we have always done to lose weight. At least once a week one of my coaching clients will say something like, “I lost 20 pounds on the ABC diet 5 years ago, but it’s not working for me now.” Well, a lot changes in a few years. I know I was the biggest Whole30 evangelist around a few years ago and if you’ve been following my blogs, you probably remember me raving about the NSV’s. I was completely surprised when I tried it again a few months ago, the Whole30 did not work for me- at all. And to be honest, I took it as a failure for myself. If your old diet is not working for you, don’t be afraid to retire it. Once you let it go, you’ll be on the road to finding the diet that works for you!
And you can’t forget about your budget
Dieting can be expensive especially if you are trying new recipes, eating organic, or possibly making a completely different meal for the rest of your family. Get a firm grasp of what it will cost to stock yourself with the foods you need to be a successful dieter.
Consider a coach to help you
Do you remember the best coach you ever had? I know mine made a huge difference in more than the sport I played at the time, but my life in general. A good coach can be a game-changer for just about anything and a diet coach is no exception. Most people benefit from having a cheerleader, constant support, accountability, and access to the coach’s expertise. Be sure to interview your prospective coach and be sure they are a great fit for you.
Wishing you all the best in finding the best diet for you!
Cheers!
Weight Loss Confessions 