The cabbage soup diet, South Beach Diet, the lemonade diet, Hollywood Diet, the Total Gym, the weight loss pills, Boflex, Tae Bo, Sensa, gastric bypass surgery, lap-band, liquid-only, no-carbs, low-carb, and on and on and on.
Just sitting down and making this list off of the top of my head was enough to understand how confusing initiating a health and workout regimen can be when we are bombarded with so many different workouts, food plans and fat blasters, some effective and some not.
So how are you supposed to know which plan is right for you?
It's true that different programs work for different people, but there has to be some common ground. I found that the best weight loss foundation is built on consistency and commitment.
Most important, you want to consult with your doctor before you begin any diet or exercise plan to ensure it is safe.
There are a lot of good workout programs and healthy food plans out there. One thing is for sure, if something claims that it is a quick, easy and an effortless fix, it is bogus.
Reaching fitness goals, losing weight, trying to organize meals to increase your metabolism and still living life and being human is definitely not effortless or quick.
Whatever program, trainer or diet you choose, make sure it is realistic and something that you could incorporate into your life forever. There is no end to being fit, there is no healthy finish line. It takes every day, every moment, and every effort compiled to make a lifetime of wellness.
Do not give up after a few short weeks or months.
If you have spent five to 10 years of your life practicing bad health and exercise habits, how do you expect to see results and correct these problems instantly? There really is no logic to that kind of thinking, so be strong, committed and patient.
Usually people become interested in the easy diets and quick fixes around summertime or big vacations.
We give ourselves about a month, until we go on that vacation, to get in shape, and then we come back and forget about the diet and what motivated us in the first place.
There have been studies done recently in which yoyo dieting has been proved to be better healthwise than living with being obese.
Personally, I always try to maintain a healthy diet while also letting life happen. Family and friends come to visit, a holiday comes or even a friend's birthday, making it OK for me to go ahead and indulge.
Think about other habits you have and how easily they are performed throughout the day. Know that if you want it to be, being fit can be a habit, too, and a lot easier than you imagine.
Here's a little something that can help you stay on track if you have an iPhone or other smart phone.
There are a lot of useful applications for keeping track of your progress and finding new workout ideas and meal plans. My favorites are the Fitcore app, MyFitPal, and Simply Yoga.MyFitPal can scan the barcode of your food and read the macronutrients and keep track of your daily intake.
Although I believe that technology can interfere in many areas of our lives, if you are going to be on your phone anyway, you might as well use it to help your reach your goals.
Don't get overwhelmed by all the diet, workout and fitness choices. Just keep trying to figure out what is right for you, using the tools that are enjoyable and effective for starting and maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
Lunden Souza can be reached at lundensouza@gmail.com.
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