Choose the Right Eating Plan for a Healthier You

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Have you ever lost weight and regained it back? While this pattern is common, the disappointment that all that hard work is gone, combined with the lack of self-confidence, can be difficult to overcome. The good news is that you can do it again. Before you begin, research the right eating plan for you. You don’t need a diet, you need a plan to build health for a lifetime, not just a quick fix. 

A mixed vegetable stir fry in a large wok.It is a known fact that rapid weight loss is difficult to keep off. One main reason is that you might not have developed a healthier eating and activity plan to continue throughout your lifetime. No one is perfect and it is ok to have a sweet treat or a pepperoni pizza (if that is your thing) once in a while. Any small change is better than nothing to help prevent or maintain chronic diseases like heart disease, stroke, diabetes and some forms of cancer. The main thing to remember is to eat a variety of great nutritious and delicious foods, enjoy your food and learn how to prepare the foods you love in a healthier way. It might be a great time to enroll in a cooking class or get a new cookbook. 

To lose weight and keep it off means you need to reduce the amount of calories you consume each day and include a routine of regular exercise. Sounds simple enough but it takes planning and commitment. Everyone must consume calories (energy) for fuel so the body will function properly. Not getting the calories and essential nutrients our bodies require each day can lead to poor health. The goal is to build better health and this does not happen overnight. 

If you are seeking a healthier lifestyle, it helps to educate yourself using scientifically based research. The healthier patterns you choose for yourself come with many benefits like lowering your chances of developing chronic diseases later in life with the extra bonuses of getting and maintaining a healthy weight, looking better in your clothes, feeling more confident, feeling better all over, and being in better shape. It takes time and patience with yourself while keeping the ultimate goal in mind.

Of course with any meal plan you also need to schedule regular physical activity. Choose something you like to do. Asking someone to be your exercise buddy is really helpful. If you don’t like to exercise in front of people there are many fast walking videos on the internet free of charge. If you like to exercise in groups, find a place to join a group. Call your local hospital and they can probably tell you of a program in the area. They are also focused on preventing sickness and promoting wellness. 

Choose about 30 minutes each week to plan your meals and physical activity. woman writing in journal Writing it down will help you to stay on track and focused on your goals. If something changes it is ok, life happens and you can figure it out and get back on your routine. It is great to shake up your routine once in a while too, variety is a good thing. Break it down into weekly goals. Write down one or two, make them simple, reasonable and achievable.

To find out what your calorie intake needs to be to maintain or lose weight you can go to MyPlate website and take a quick quiz for the answers.

Some of the highest rated healthy eating plans are the Mediterranean, DASH, MyPlate and Flexitarian diets. Here is a link for a great Mediterranean Beef Burger recipe.

It is always best to consult your physician to make sure you are ready to begin a new eating plan and physical activity routine. Fad or restrictive diets can be harmful. Do the research to find out if the plan is fad or based on proven scientific results that can be safely maintained over time. As you achieve goals, make changes to your diet and activity to fit your new lifestyle.