Planning to Go on a Diet? Here are 5 Questions to Ask First

Do you really need a diet plan?

What do you aim to achieve by going on a diet? Think about this first to set your diet goals. It could be one of many things:

● To lose pregnancy weight post-childbirth

● To reduce weight if you fall into the overweight or obese category based on your BMI (Body Mass Index)

● To improve your overall health and fitness

● To overcome conditions like digestive issues, irritable bowel syndrome, etc.

● To prevent problems like premature ageing, dementia, heart disease, diabetes, etc.

Think about what your goals are and formulate a healthy diet plan that will help you achieve those goals.

Have you considered the budget aspect?

To decide on a healthy diet plan, you also need to consider what your budget is. A diet plan involves taking nutritional supplements, consulting a doctor or nutritionist, going to a weight-loss clinic or exercise classes, and attending support meetings in addition to eating specific kinds of food. So, plan your diet based on what kind of budget you have in mind.

Are there any health concerns?

Do you have health concerns like diabetes, obesity, high blood pressure, arthritis, or food allergies? In such cases, your doctor or nutritionist can help you decide what foods are best for you. For example, a person with arthritis should avoid weight-bearing exercises and a person with high blood pressure would benefit from the DASH diet (Dietary Approach to Stop Hypertension) that is low in sodium and helps lower BP.

What’s your schedule like?

A major reason why diets fail is the lack of time to prepare and eat healthy food. So, before you go on a diet, make sure your schedule allows you time to go grocery shopping and prepare healthy food. If you don’t have enough time, it is easy to get tempted when you pass by a fast-food outlet after a long day of work. Alternately, you could also consider a healthy diet plan that has prepared food or find a good diet meal service that delivers.

Do you have a support system?

If you want your healthy diet plan to be successful, you will need a solid support system. This could be a supportive spouse, a friend on the same diet plan, or a weight-loss or exercise group that will motivate you to achieve your goal. Your support system should provide you with emotional support on your weight loss journey.

There are various places like local health centres, clinics, gyms, moms’ groups, senior citizen groups, neighbourhood groups, etc. that can help you and offer support services for health improvement and weight loss diet plans. Activities like group meetings, group exercise programs, exchange of healthy recipes, are wonderful opportunities to connect with fellow dieters and this will encourage you to stay on the diet.

Why have you not succeeded in the past?

You may have tried going on a diet in the past and failed. Analyse why you didn’t succeed, and this will help you plan better and accomplish your objectives.

For example, if your previous diet plan left you hungry very often, make sure your new diet includes a larger intake of low-calorie foods like fruits, veggies, low-fat dairy, and lean proteins.

If you lacked support previously, ensure that you have a good support system where you will be accountable to a trainer, nutritionist, or friend.