This question is posed a lot, so I thought this would be a good issue to address.

There are a myriad of weight loss programs out there - Weight Watchers, Jenny Craig, L.A. Weight Loss, Atkins, Zone, South Beach, just to name a few.  So what should you look for when trying to choose?

First, the program must be sustainable.  If you can’t stick with it, what is the point?  Make sure that the program fits your needs, your wants, and your lifestyle.  If it’s a program that leaves you feeling hungry all the time, are you really going to stick with it?  More than likely you’re not.  If the program is too expensive, are you going to stick with it?  Probably not.  Does the program require you to eat foods that you don’t like?  If it does, are you really going to “learn to like” those foods and stick with it?  Think about long-term: is this program something you can see yourself doing for years to come?

Secondly, does the program teach you how to eat?  There are many programs out there that are basically a liquid diet or are a liquid diet for 2 out of 3 meals every day.  Does this teach you how to eat or make healthier food choices or how to prepare your food in a healthier way?  In addition to losing weight, you need to learn how to eat because what happens when you go off the “liquid diet?”  Will you then gain back the weight because the program didn’t teach you how to replace those liquid meals with real food?

Lastly, after doing your research, do you feel comfortable with the program you have chosen or is something holding you back, making you feel uncomfortable about the program, doubt that it really will work?  Listen to your gut - it usually has the right answer.

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