6 common Weight Loss programs

Like a box of chocolates, Diet programs seem very doable and enticing to weight rich people – But even a few weeks into the program, the whole process starts to lose its sheen.

Here’s a summary of six common weight-loss strategies in vogue today

Low-fat diets

why doesn’t low-fat diets always work?

• Even a low-fat diet can lead to weight gain when people ignore the total amount of calories they’re eating and regularly exceed their daily calorie goals.
• Too many calories from any source, low-fat foods included, can add pounds.

Low-carb diets

The logic behind this is that a low-carb diet results in a lower insulin , thus allowing you to burn fat fast.

• Initially, when you follow a low-carb diet you may lose more weight than if you followed a low-fat, low-calorie diet.
• This increased weight loss may or may not continue long term depending on your commitment to following the eating plan.

• Like so many diets, is no easier to stick to long term.
• Well-known low-carb diets include the Atkins diet, Zone diet and Protein Power.

Glycemic-index diets

• The glycemic index ranks carbohydrate-containing foods based on their effects on blood sugar.
• Similar to the theory behind low-carb diets, most low-glycemic-index diets claim that lowering blood sugar levels leads to weight loss.

• Many factors other than food influence your blood sugar level, including your age and weight, the type of food preparation, and the portion size.
• The South Beach diet is an example of a low-glycemic-index diet.

Meal replacements

• Meal replacements, such as Slim-Fast, provide less than 400 calories a meal and are nutritionally complete.
• You replace one or two meals a day, such as breakfast and lunch, with a low-calorie shake or meal bar.
• Then you eat a healthy third meal, between 600 and 700 calories, of your own choosing.
• Meal replacements — if used as directed — can be as effective as other weight-loss diets.

Meal providers

These services can be expensive. Jenny Craig and NutriSystem are two examples of meal providers.

Group approaches

• Group programs, such as Weight Watchers, can support your efforts, giving you eating plans, exercise recommendations and support from others on the same dietary path.
• After joining, expect regular weigh-ins, group meetings and activity sessions.