1) Honesty:- Many diet plans are full of outrageous claims such as “rub this gel on your stomach and watch the fat melt away”. However, can you really trust a diet plan which makes such unrealistic claims? Losing weight is not easy and any diet plan which argues otherwise is likely to be fraudulent and ineffective. Try to look for diet plans which make more honest claims such as “lose 10 pounds in one month” as these are likely to be the ones that really work.

2) Evidence:- If a diet plan really is effective then there should be some clinical evidence which says so. Although clinical trials are not 100% foolproof (they may be sponsored by the diet plan company or the results may have been presented selectively to make the diet plan look more favourable) they are a good indicator of a diet plan’s effectiveness. By looking for diet plans which have been scientifically tested you are more likely to find one that works for you.

3) No Forbidden Foods:- When a food is forbidden it becomes all the more tempting. This usually leads to you craving the food to such an extent that you binge eat. For example, lets say your favourite food is cookies but your diet plan has banned them. You manage to resist for two weeks but then you give in and eat a full pack. The end result is that you consume too many calories and sabotage all your good efforts on the diet plan. To avoid this you should look for diet plans which restrict the foods you eat but still let you treat yourself from time to time.

4) No Side Effects:- Even if a diet plan helps you lose weight in a way that works for you, you do not want to be subjected to any unpleasant side effects. For example, going on the Atkins diet has been associated with bad breath, constipation and nausea. Some health professionals even believe the diet can cause more serious health risks such as heart disease and osteoporosis. Therefore, make sure you research any diet plan you choose to ensure that there are no unpleasant side effects associated with it.

5) No Calorie Counting:- Any good diet plan will require you to have a general understanding of calories and the amount you should be consuming each day. However, if you have to count every single calorie that you take in every single day you will quickly become discouraged. The most successful diet plans will teach you to eat healthily and in time you will learn to reduce your daily caloric intake without counting every individual calorie.

6) Affordability:- Even if a diet plan fulfills all the above criteria it will not be a success unless you can afford it. Some diet plans require you to purchase special meals to participate. However, these meals are usually expensive and can quickly burn a hole in your wallet. I recommend that you choose a diet plan which does not require you to buy any special foods and is therefore affordable on almost any budget.

Successful diet plans should help you lose weight and make this process as easy and manageable as possible. They should be honest, unrestrictive, proven and affordable. When choosing a diet plan make sure it matches all the above criteria or else you could find yourself disappointed with the results.

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In dieting, as in life, there is not a one-size-fits-all diet plan. To know how to lose weight, you must first identify your personality type and work from your own strengths.

Which personality type are you?

When my dear husband and I are planning a vacation, I like to dream about all the possibilities. We could see the mountains in the summer or have another winter ski vacation. Hmmm, come to think of it, wouldn?t skiing in the Alps be great? But swimming in the tropics might be better. You can see right away that my personality type is conducive to dreaming.

But to actually go on vacation, you have to start narrowing it down, and I do, but not without throwing in a couple more options and certainly not without some grief over all the places I?ve eliminated.

It makes me edgy to eliminate choices. When I order at a restaurant, I get anxious, fearing that I didn?t make the best choice and grieving over all the things I can?t have.

My husband is the complete opposite personality type. The more he can narrow the choice, the more comfortable he is. Likewise, he grooves on knowing exactly where everything in his life is. He likes to park on the same side in the garage every day. He likes setting his coffee cup in the same spot on the counter.

His mantra: ?A place for everything and everything in it?s place.?

Apparently, I like knowing my keys are somewhere in the house, though I?m not always sure where.

I call myself creative. My mantra: ?It?s hard to be me . . . but it?s worth it.?

So, how does all this address how to lose weight? First, answer these quick questions:

Do you . . .

a) Take the same route to work every day?

b) Like to take a different route to your usual destinations?

a) Think you would be happier if only you could make reservations a week in advance?

b) Prefer to make a choice about which restaurant to go to while you?re pulling out of the driveway?

If you answered ?a,? then you?re a ?straight-line? personality type; ?b,? you?re of the ?winding path? personality type.

Each personality type has it?s advantages and unique challenges, particularly when it comes to diet plans and how to lose weight. Neither is preferable to the other, although straight-liners would have you believe that their way is best. They may get the weight off more quickly on their diet plan, but as we know, losing weight fast is not any indication that it has left your hips for good. Learning how to lose weight while honoring your ingrained personality type is a much more surefire strategy for long-term success.

Personality Types that Call for a Straight-Line Diet Plan

How to lose weight in the most straightforward fashion: I?m looking for the shortest path between me and my goal.

Strengths:

You tend to be disciplined and so can follow a directed diet plan quite easily. You don?t complicate things, but instead find a method that works and stick with it.

Advantage:

Steady weight loss.

Challenge:

You may have a harder time sticking to your diet plan during temporary transitions such as change in schedules, seasons and vacations. What should be viewed as temporary setbacks may lead to an exaggerated sense of failure that becomes self-fulfilling. Transitioning from your diet plan to long-term weight maintenance can be more difficult.

Primary Strategy:

Work to eliminate all-or-nothing thinking with regard to your diet plan. Remember that getting to and maintaining a healthy weight is a series of decisions.

Choosing a Diet Plan:

There are many, many answers to the question of how to lose weight, but ?Just tell me what I should eat!? is a common cry for the ?straight line? personality type. If you are of this personality type, you?ll be more comfortable choosing (or devising) a meal-type diet plan where food choices are limited. The counting-type diet plans might feel overwhelming, with too many choices.

Personality Types that Call for a ?Winding Road? Diet Plan

How to lose weight in the most pleasant fashion: There are myriad ways to get there, might as well enjoy the journey.

Strengths:

You tend to be creative with your diet plan and make it ?your own,? which means you won?t get bored or feel deprived.

Advantage:

Easier adaptation from diet plan to maintenance plan because you are adjusting throughout the journey.