The Weight-Control Information Network found that 64.1 percent of women were either overweight or obese. Making changes to your diet will help you drop weight immediately. Women who are trying to lose weight should consume a diet that is no less than 1,200 calories, which can be achieved with many different diets.
Weight Watchers
Weight Watchers helps women lose weight by educating them on portion sizes. It uses a point system that is specific to each woman. Depending on your weight loss goals and other factors, you are given a certain number of points for your day. Each food has a different point value. As long as you stay within your point value, a healthy weight loss will occur because Weight Watchers creates a caloric deficit in your diet. The Weight Watchers website explains that the program guides you to nutritious eating choices, creating a healthy weight loss.
My Pyramid
The USDA's MyPyramid is based on the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. MyPyramid educates the public on what foods to eat and the quantities needed to lose weight. The free website demonstrates exactly how many calories you need to eat each day -- based on your age, height, weight and activity level -- to reach your weight-loss goals.
Mediterranean Diet
The Mediterranean diet is a flavorful diet that includes nutrient dense whole foods and focuses on eating whole grains, nuts, fruits, vegetables and olive oil. The diet limits meats, eggs and dairy products, because it focuses on limiting saturated fats and increasing monounsaturated fats which promotes weight loss. A study done in July 2008 in the "New England Journal of Medicine", found that participants in a two-year weight-loss study lost more weight on the Mediterranean diet than on a low-fat diet.
Considerations
Be sure to check with your doctor before you begin any diet. A healthy weight loss is 1 to 2 lbs. per week. Set weekly weight loss goals to help you stay on track with your diet, because you will see small results one week at a time.
References
- Weight-Control Information Network: Statistics Related to Overweight and Obesity; February 2010
- MedlinePlus: Tips for Losing Weight; Oct. 18, 2009
- USDA: MyPyramid
- "New England Journal of Medicine"; Weight Loss with a Low-Carbohydrate, Mediterranean, or Low-Fat Diet; Iris Shai, et al.; July 17, 2008
- Weight Watchers: How We're Unique
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