Questions To Ask Before Starting A Diet
There’s no shortage of diet plans out there but which one is right for you?
If you’re like most people, you’ll decide on a diet plan by picking whatever diet is trendy at the moment. So the diet that your friend is doing and trying to get you to do too, you’ll probably give it a shot just to get them to finally shut the fuck up about it. Or the one your coworker is following whose appearance is to the point it has people in senior leadership positions doing the calculus on whether or not it’s worth the risk of a sexual harassment charge to dangle the carrot of career advancement in exchange for sexual favors. Or maybe the one everybody online is doing and you’re too much of a lemming not to do also.
Whatever the diet is that you choose, the truth of the matter is that basically almost any diet will work for weight loss as long as it’s built on the scientific principle of a negative energy balance, or calorie deficit.
That is, any diet that’s built on that scientific principle will work so long as you actually follow the diet through!
The problem is that not all diets are created equal, as the means by which the required calorie deficit is achieved may be deleterious to your health and wellbeing and may involve any number of things that affect your adherence. That’s why before starting a new diet, you need to ask yourself a few key questions to help decide if the diet you want to do is right for you.
QUESTIONS:
• Why did you discontinue your last diet?
• Do you believe this new diet will help you with what the last one didn’t?
• How quickly will the weight come off?
• Are the promised results too good to be true?
• How many people have lost weight with this plan?
• How long do results last?
• How will the diet impact your social life?
• Does the diet provide the amount of structure you need?
• Is the diet flexible?
• Is the diet a quick fix or long-term plan?
• Is it safe to stay on the diet for a long period of time?
• Is the diet in line with your health history?
• What are the signs that might indicate a problem while on this diet?
• Can you stay on the diet for a long period of time without getting bored?
• What foods or food groups are excluded from the diet?
• Does the diet include foods you’d enjoy eating forever?
• Can you easily find the recommended foods at your local grocery store?
• Does the eating plan work with your budget?
• Do you have any dietary requirements the diet might not meet?
• Do you need a multivitamin or other dietary supplement while on the diet?
• Should you consult with a professional to have this weight loss program tailored to your individual needs?
• Does the diet include group support?
• Do you feel excitement about following the diet or dread?
• Is regular physical activity part of the plan?
• Is this diet the best diet to meet your goals?
Glossary: calorie deficit, diet, supplement
