Diet Started? What are you waiting for?
By Valerie Lunden, MA

Well, it's February, have you started yet? There are 2 potential responses here, #1, I have and #2, I have not.

If the answer is #2, the next burning questions might be, what are YOU waiting for? Is the number on your scale the one that you are the most happiest with? For most of us, the answer is probably no.

If you’ve ever wondered - it's true - miracle diets don’t exist, and yes, the perfect diet hasn’t been invented yet.

Let's examine the top 10 most popular diet excuses. This could be considered a serious topic, so the challenge here is keeping the information light yet meaningful.

Top 10 List of Excuses.

#1 Wedding Trauma?
Many brides want to look “bride-like” on their wedding day. The day after the wedding, well, whatever happens next depends on the bride!

#2 Just had a baby? Breast feeders statistically have better success returning to their pre-pregnant weight.

#3 The Doctor insisted. Do you suffer from high cholesterol, diabetes, or excessive weight gain?

#4 The death of a loved one – extreme weight loss triggered by stress.

#5 Eating disorders. Do you have one? Check with your doctor before starting any diet.

#6 Thyroid problems. Again, check-in with your doctor.

#7 You are entering a Beauty Pageant! Not the best excuse!

#8 You want to be a movie star!
Less then 1% of the world population fits into this category.

#9 Every supermarket on the planet has gone out of business!

#10 Fill in the blank_________________________.

A handful of diets have survived the test of time and have outlived the fads.
Note: If you are beginning a diet, including any of those listed below, make sure you check with your doctor first. Certain diet programs pose health risks.

#1. A Nutritionist or Health Professional prescribed diet. Usually the best way to go

#2. Weight Watchers: With added exercise

#3. Nutrisystem or Jenny Craig: With added exercise

#4 The Zone: With exercise

#5. Gylcemic Index Diets: With exercise

Supportive diets appear to provide controlled calorie reduction over time, which usually means, don't expect the weight to drop off overnight. Patience is key!

In recent years, the point-system approach has offered an alternative to calorie counting. This type of plan could be viewed as a gimmick, but like traditional calorie counting, the premise does appear to work.
Prepared meal programs (Jenny & Nutrisystem): offer controlled calorie reduction over time, but most important, they offer convenience.
If you don't have time to count calories or points, this may be the way to go.

Finally, the Zone plan offers moderate consumption of proteins, carbohydrates and fats. This is incorporated with a vigilant observation of sugars.

What most of these diets appear to have in common is they can be maintained over a longer period of time, and they can be incorporated into most lifestyle patterns. They also offer variety and versatility.

Here's are a few diet considerations:
#1. Do you spend more time eating then exercising?

#2. Do you want to wear smaller dress size?

#3. Have you ever felt humiliated and uncomfortable about your weight gain?

#4. Do you suffer from poor health – high cholesterol, heart disease, diabetes? Is going on a diet a life-saving situation?

#5. Have you been isolating yourself? Has being with people become just too hard, particularly at meal times?

#6. Has your weight become an issue in everything you do, particularly exercise?

#7. Has being overweight created a negative self-esteem?

#8. Do other people talk about YOUR weight gain?

#9. Because of poor health, have you resorted to taking medication?

#10. Have you started a high protein diet?

Why begin today?

Why not? Why does Monday have to be DIET-DAY #1?

Based on those diets mentioned, if all that's needed is a combination of proper food choices and exercise, why are Mondays usually chosen to start dieting? Why do you have to wait until January or February? Why does the diet have to begin on the day after the kids leave home to go to college, or when the new moon appears? Perhaps if you’re single, you’re waiting for Prince Charming to show up, instead of being ready for Prince Charming to arrive!

Whatever the reason, the only real question that matters is when will YOUR journey begin? Really, what will it take to make you start eating sensibly every day and love the body you're in?

Weight Watchers
Nutrisystem