What is it about the word “diet” that scares us so? Maybe it’s better to use another word in that space when we talk about limiting food and increasing exercise. Would that makes diets easy to stick to?
If you simply type “diet” into any search engine you won’t be spoiled for choices. They are everywhere and come in all shapes and sizes, just like people. We are fascinated with the many ways that can be found to create a plan to lose weight. That is the point of most diets – to lose unwanted poundage.
Why are there so many diets? For one, people are not all the same. You may lose weight easier with one method than another. Your neighbor may not like bread, and the Adkins diet or the South Beach diet may work well for them. Some don’t know how to eat better because they haven’t learned the basics. Different people need different levels of guidance.
Ease of Use
This is subjective. Before you (or we) answer the question of whether diets are easier to stick to, ask yourself the following questions:
- Do I work well with a structured plan?
- Am I good at recording and keeping a food journal?
- Does accountability keep me motivated?
- Do I need a workout buddy?
- What foods do I like?
- Can I stop eating a certain type of food “cold turkey”?
- Do I know weight loss basics?
- Is the diet plan I want to follow tested?
Let’s face it – some diet plans sound like they were made up off the top of someone’s head because no one could physically follow them. Every plan sounds good when someone else is talking about it and showing results. The problem comes when they omit how hard it actually is and how long it will take for satisfactory results.
Get Your Head in the Game
Any diet plan is easier to follow when you change your mindset. This is how you think about the journey you are about to take. Instead of thinking of it as temporary, consider it a “lifestyle change.” After all, you don’t want to the weight to return so that means you will need to continue these new-found habits. Here are some tips:
Investigate each diet plan thoroughly – Know what it is asking you to do and the logic of it. For example, it takes a deficit of 3,600 calories to lose one pound. The body needs at least 1,000 calories to operate at sufficient levels. Losing 10 pounds in 10 days requires a significant slash in caloric intake as well as major increase in physical activity.
Make a plan – Detail how much weight you want to lose and in a reasonable time frame. Work with that instead of the supposed results that the diet plan reports. These stories always differ from person to person.
Keep a mental image – It can be an actual picture of a place you want to go or a picture of a thinner self. Use it as a reminder to keep you mentally strong.
Reward yourself – Instead of a once-a-week cheat day, use pounds lost as your guide. Have a sweet treat or go shopping every 10 pounds lost.
Diets are only as easy as the amount of time and preparation you put into them. Whether any particular diets are easy to stick to, depends entirely on you.
