Lose Weight: 10 Questions That Should Be Asked Before Choosing a Diet to Lose Weight

There are generally three ways to lose weight with variations on each theme.

First of all "Do it by yourself". It is often a good choice for people who have little weight to lose, and who have sufficient will to arm themselves with the basics of nutrition so as not to create a nutritional chaos during their attempt to lose weight.

The second way is based on commercial weight loss programs, chains and franchises. These are typically managed by non-professional advisors who have varying levels of skills and training. They have basic nutritional information and can give a structure and support, but should not be used to get professional advice.

The third way is based on general health and nutrition/dietetics in particular professionals. Individuals who give specific services or comprehensive programs that include medical, psychological, nutritional, behavioral, services and guides on physical exercises.

None of these three ways, only, solves the problem of obesity. Each requires an effort on the part of the patient to keep up the weight loss. No program, form, not worth it unless it provides answers to the question "How do I stabilize my weight once I have lost the weight?"

When you check and compare the various plans to analyze their principles, advantages, disadvantages, ask yourself these 10 questions:

(1) How much weight I need to lose?

More you need to lose weight, you will need professional skills. People who have between 2 to 5 kilograms of excess weight can often lose the weight by themselves. People whose expectations or needs are very important creates a significant risk if they decide to lose weight by themselves.

(2) How much weight do I want to lose, to be healthier, comfortable?

You should make a judgement on your main goal. Many people improve their health or their comfort even with modest weight loss. Most people will not be able to achieve, and often they do not need to achieve what they think is an ideal weight for them. Avoid the diet programs that give you an unyielding goal.

(3) Are there health problems which should be solved?

There is never a single reason to lose weight, but is your weight affecting other medical conditions like diabetes, cholesterol or blood pressure? Any program to lose the payload weight should set up a mechanism to treat medical problems and, if medical problems are important, you'll need regular monitoring of a doctor.

(4) How long have I been overweight?

It is likely that longer you have been overweight, more difficult will be the task of losing weight and more you will need the help of professionals.

People who have recently acquired their excess weight could be able to manage with a few dietary adjustments and food education, but they often see their weight as a simple problem and tend to have a naïve view when it comes to change the weight. People who have been overweight for a long period of their lives are likely to be more realistic in recognizing the need for major changes.

It should be noted that the notions of "overweight" and "obese" are defined by the calculation of the body mass index (BMI).

(5) I lost the weight before?

Think about what you've been able to do and whether it is realistic or not to try again. If your weight has gone back up, try to understand why and whether another approach would solve the problems that have not been resolved properly during the previous effort to lose weight.

(6) What I really know about nutrition?

If you don't have solid knowledge in food and nutrition, you should assume that you will need a program that provides nutritional base of seriously and pedagogical advice, no ultra low-calorie diets, no gadgets, no magic. It is naïve to assume that you know the nutrition simply because you ate full of different dishes, or because you've already followed full of plans in your life.

(7) Are there psychological problems involved in my overweight?

The way to eat of everyone became complex by the tangle of cyclical factors which have an impact on our lives.

But weight loss is not always complex psychotherapy or the full resolution of all issues. Much can be accomplished with support and education.

More you have other issues (emotional and psychological), you'll want to consider professional assistance to lose weight. Insofar as the psychological problems are crushing your eating behavior, you should consider a diet or food program that provides special attention to these issues and helps you manage them.

(8) How much it costs? What are my financial limitations?

Get a realistic estimate of the cost of any thing. Prepackaged foods are low in calories, but these dishes, once reduced to individual portions, are very expensive.

Evaluate the total cost (not just membership fees), including food, laboratory tests, weekly charges and the duration of the effort. Also check how you would spend your money on a weight stabilization program.

(9) What are the programs and services offered in my area?

Your choice is of course limited by what is available. The limited options should not lead to a program that is not good for you. If you choose an approach that focuses on a single service (a dietician, for example), This provider should be able to orient towards resources for related services (physical exercise, medical care, advice, etc). Do not reject the approach "Do it yourself", it is difficult, but it could be better (and cheaper) than a program that does not meet your needs. Attention, avoid programs that give you a warranty.

(10) How will I be able to keep up the weight loss (stabilize, prevent the yo-yo)?

Do not neglect the stabilization (once lost excess weight). Analyze the reason for which you have encountered difficulties to stabilize in the past.

Unless you are willing to do it alone, you should choose a plan or programme which has a system that supports the stabilization for at least two years.

Confusion often made with stabilization is the assumption that the way you lose weight affects how you maintain the weight loss. The two problems are not related. How you keep up the weight loss is mainly linked to the way you change the feeding behaviour.

Change of feeding behavior and life (for a better life hygiene) is most closely related to the support systems in a weight loss program rather than the method used to losing weight.

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