An August 2010 statement from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) indicated that more than 72 million adults in the United States are obese -- one-fourth of the population. Being overweight or obese can cause health problems such as diabetes and heart disease, and may adversely affect the quality of your life. If you wish to lose weight, finding the right weight loss program can be a challenge. Reviewing each plan's specifics can help you choose the appropriate diet and start down the path to weight loss success.
Step 1
Ask friends, family and coworkers who have successfully lost weight about their diet experiences. Write down the plans they used and note any likes or dislikes they observed. Make a list of these plans along with any you have heard about in the news, in magazines or on TV that interest you.
Step 2
Write down your personal tendencies and diet preferences. Analyze your traits -- for example, do you need the support of a group or a counselor, or would you prefer dieting solo? Do you have food restrictions due to medical or other reasons? Determine how much, if any, money you can put toward a diet program and any time constraints you have.
Step 3
Create a list or spreadsheet for your comparison chart. Use the Internet or your local library to access information about the diet programs and companies in which you are interested. Write or type the name of each diet, its cost and any of its defining features. Eliminate plans that are outside of your budget or don't fit with your wants and needs.
Step 4
Create a scoring method for each feature. For example, if a diet is expensive, you may give it a 1 for "Budget," but, because you like the idea of pre-prepared meals, score it a 5 in "Food." Review the scores of each diet and, now that you've narrowed down the list, pick your plan.
Step 5
Start a program. MayoClinic.com stresses that the most important component to losing weight is sticking with your weight loss plan. Keep track of what works and what doesn't work with your chosen weight loss plan. Try a different program if you don't see results after an extended period.
Things You'll Need
- Internet access
- Notebook or spreadsheet
- Library card
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