In a society obsessed with fad dieting, it can be hard to decide which diets are real, and which ones will soon be forgotten. Most diets promise you great success with a system, but no diet will work without your will power. Choose a diet that speaks to your philosophies on food, exercise and body image. Choosing a sensible diet plan can help you reach your weight loss goals in a realistic time frame, by giving you standards that you can live by.
Step 1
Choose three to five diets that you'd like to compare. You can choose similar diets that you know you'd be able to follow, or choose vastly different diets, so that you can compare the pros and cons of different diet plans and mentalities on losing weight and eating right. Narrowing down your choices can help you feel less overwhelmed by all of the available diets.
Step 2
Compare the basic philosophies of each of the diet plans. You can find introductions to plans on diet comparison sites (see Resources) or you can read the introductions to diet books or websites for better insight into the plan's philosophy. Each plan has basic principles.
Step 3
Look at the promises that each diet plan makes. Immediately rule out those that promise a 10 lb. weight loss in a week. Those types of promises aren't only false and unhealthy, but they can set up unrealistic expectations for you, which will make you feel guilty if you don't reach them. Don't set yourself up for failure by choosing a plan that makes outlandish promises.
Step 4
Examine the types of food that are recommended while on the diet plan. Choose diets based on how close they are to how you normally eat, your tastes and your capabilities. While an all-raw food diet might sound beneficial, if you love steak and potatoes, it's not the diet for you. If you don't cook, don't choose a diet filled with complicated recipes. Consider the food choices that you are given.
Step 5
Read about the exercise regimen that you should complete while on the diet. If a diet expresses that you don't need to exercise, this should throw up a red flag as to whether it will work. All diets should come with a comprehensive recommendation on exercise as well as eating for the best results.
Step 6
Look to see what kind of support system the diet plan has. You may find that some have online chat rooms, forums, counselors and other resources to help you stay on the diet. Some offer little more than a small guide book. If you need motivation, choose a diet with plenty of resources available to you.
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