Secret to Sustainable Weight Loss: How to Find a Diet That Really Works

How can you find the diet method that works best for you?

Health experts in the U.S. have shared tips on WebMD, such as “Tips for Finding the Best Diet That Works for You.” The priority is to find a sustainable diet plan that can be practiced over the long term.

There are several ways to check if a diet plan is healthy and sustainable. You should verify if it allows a variety of foods from all food groups, includes physical activity, and promotes slow and steady weight loss.

It’s also worth considering whether the diet allows snacks between meals, is based on scientific research, encourages increased water intake, and does not rely on supplements.

The rate of weight loss is also important. Losing weight too quickly may result in more water loss than fat loss, so it is essential to aim for a gradual and steady reduction. Rapid weight-loss methods can cause water, muscle, and some fat loss, which may lead to rebound weight gain once the diet is stopped. The ideal goal is to lose about 0.5 to 1 kg per week by burning approximately 500 kcal daily.

Make sure the diet fits your lifestyle. Does it mesh with your usual eating habits, travel schedule, and social life? Can you stick to the meal times and snack recommendations? Does it require complex meal preparation or special cooking skills? Also, consider your current activity level. An intense workout plan might be complicated if you’re primarily sedentary. Choose a diet with realistic exercise goals and focus on everyday movements like walking, gardening, or cleaning.

It’s also important to consider if the diet can help you improve bad habits. Dieting is about reducing weight, correcting unhealthy lifestyle habits, and improving overall health. Correcting bad habits can lead to more sustainable results than temporary weight loss.

Judith Rodriguez, a nutrition professor at the University of North Florida, suggests choosing an approach that helps you identify habits that may sabotage your weight goals. Constantly thinking about going on a diet can lead to food obsession and frustration when it doesn’t work, so it’s ideal to adjust daily habits gradually to achieve sustainable weight management.