Yes, indeed that is the question is it not? If we knew what the best diet plan in the world was there would not be over 31 million diabetics in 2014 with another 86 million knocking on the door to join the club. Chances are that you may be one of those people if you are reading this book. I can tell you with absolute certainty that I do know the best diet plan for you – it is the one you stick to and more importantly, the one that you enjoy. The diet you stick to becomes your lifestyle plan. So with that being said, let us look at a few facts and then a few ways you can start YOUR lifestyle plan.
Dieting is a lifestyle change, not a fad. There are an immense number of studies out there and really when you look at the 40,000 foot view of diets – the absolute weight loss that I call sustained or lifetime weight loss is negligible across each diet fad. Now, low carbohydrates seem the way go initially, but truth be told, it only lasts for 3-6 months and when you compare them at one year out, the absolute change across low fat and low carbohydrate diets is essentially zero in terms of weight reduction when compared to each other. Now, you may be inquisitive and want to research this fact – and I will assure you that you will find data contradicting what I just said, but you need to look at 1 year and 2 year markers to understand what I am truly pointing out.
So, what is your best lifestyle plan? It needs to contain a few key elements. First, you absolutely need to have cheat meals. What is a cheat meal? The oooh so bad meal that you can go to when times are tough or you just need an out. These meals tend to be caloric disasters and can be a main course (Pizza) or dessert (peanut butter double chocolate fudge brownie explosion). Schedule cheat meals at least twice a week so you have something to look forward to. You need to have a plan – yes this takes work and time, but if you have a plan written out, you will be able to follow it a whole lot easier than the one you spontaneously make up. You need to count calories because weight loss or weight maintenance is a numbers game. Please visit www.dailyscoopofhealth.com for your weight loss/maintenance calculator and for sample weekly menus. Finally and most importantly, you really do need to exercise. Now, you can lose weight without exercising, but I promise you the health and happiness benefits (exercise increases our natural body endorphins) you will get from exercising will far outweigh (no pun intended) the trepidation you might feel when you hear this word. No doubt it will be hard at first – just like tying your shoes. But, my guess is by now you can tie your shoes with your eyes closed. So, don’t fear. It is not as impossible as you think because after all impossible is just short for I’m possible.