The million-dollar question that plagues most of us is how do I lose weight? While a lot many of times, the question is not posed by correct people; having a normal BMI is enough, you do not have to get size zero as that is simply unhealthy.
However, since we have gotten so used to processed, junk, fast food that has led to dietary and weight gain issues. Our sedentary lifestyles have certainly not helped; most of us have desk jobs, due to which it is hard for us to get the requisite workout in.
Due to these factors, weight gain has become a serious problem. Losing weight is imperative for to be healthy; it’s not just about conforming to societal standards of beauty, but having normal weight is crucial in preventing chronic diseases like diabetes and cardiovascular problems.
However, weight loss is a puzzle that is not easy to crack. There are several diets, but you need to figure out a plan that works best for you. People with certain health conditions should ideally consult their nutritionistprior to experimenting with different diets.
Things to consider when picking a diet
You need to pay attention to certain other facets about a diet that you decide to partake in. You may be driven by the weight loss, but it is also important to adhere to these factors.
Firstly, you should see yourself doing this diet over a long period of time; short-term and fad diets are not the ideal approach. Without making adequate lifestyle changes, even if you do lose weight, you might not be able to sustain the weight loss.
It is very easy to fall off the wagon on strict diets. When you deprive your body for long, you are more likely to make up for it by binge eating instead.
Moreover, fad and strict diets may also cause stress to you. Instead of weight loss feeling good, you get stressed and anxious about the diet, making it easier for you to not follow through with the diet. Plus, it is important for you to enjoy your diet, which should also be flexible to allow you a cheat day here and there.
Diets best for you
Diets are not just about dropping pounds on the scale; you must also benefit from them. These diet should not be about consuming less calories but should also offer nutritional benefits to you.
Furthermore, it is also important to note your reason for diet; is weight loss your primary goal or should you be concerned about other health factors as well. For example, some people need to lose weight because of health problems like hypertension. In such situations, your diet should help with both factors. DASH diet is considered ideals for such individuals.
Also, consider your own context before taking up the diet. Just because your friend ended up losing weight through some diet does not mean that it is a good fit for you.
Moreover, consider your likes and dislikes before starting a diet. If you do not like meat, starting Paleo might be the correct approach for you. Similarly, if greasy and oily food is not up your alley, then you should not feel yourself forced into doing Ketogenic diet.
Not accounting for your personal preferences may also make sustaining the diet difficult too.
Safety of the diet
Another topic to consider is the safety of the diet. You should not rely on mere anecdotal evidence or fall trap to the diets that you find on unauthenticated sources like a WhatsApp forward.
You should make sure that there is sufficient scientific data that corroborates to the safety of the diet. Otherwise, you may set your body up for not just deficiencies, but in worst case, permanent damage as well. Ideally, you should seek help from your Dietitian in Islamabad before starting off a diet.
