Basic Factors to Consider When Preparing to Diet

If you're contemplating starting a new diet there are a few basic factors to consider. So before we begin, grab your favorite beverage of choice, reading glasses if needed, and sit back and enjoy this article.

Now that you are ready let's begin! We will look at three areas one should contemplate before beginning a diet.

• what are your particular goals by dieting

• are you seeking rapid weight loss or the slow and steady weight loss approach

• do you want to purchase pre packaged foods or cook your own meals?

To begin, ask yourself what your goals are by dieting. Do you want to lose 5-10 pounds or do you want to drop 25 pounds or more. Knowing what your target weight loss number is will make choosing a particular diet that aligns with your weight loss goal easier. For some people with a significant amount of weight to lose it might be easier to break it down into monthly attainable goals such as 5-6 pounds a month instead of saying I want to lose 75 pounds.

Next you need to decide if you are seeking rapid weight loss or the slow and steady weight loss method. Most Doctors will tell you that to succeed at keeping weight off the best approach is to drop the pounds slowly, around 1-3 pounds a week. Unfortunately we are a society that wants instant gratification - "we want it now", in other words most of us aren't satisfied with only losing a pound or two a week but rather we would like to see 5-10 pound loss a week. Some diets provide rapid loss but again most Doctors will advise that to lose weight and keep the weight off, your weekly weight loss goal should be 1-3 pounds.

The third area to examine is, do you want the convenience of purchasing pre packaged diet meals like Weight Watchers frozen food items found at your local grocery store or do you enjoy making homemade meals? We live in a hustle and bustle world so it is understandable why some people want the convenience of a frozen food product versus taking time to prepare a homemade meal but on the flip side I believe you find more flavor in the meals prepared at home. One also needs to consider the cost factor. Is it cheaper to buy a pre packaged meal for each meal or is it more cost effective to buy fresh items where you could also cook in bulk and freeze leftovers for future meals.

In summary, before you begin any diet be sure to identify what your specific weight loss target goals are, the type of diet that matches your goals and finally whether you want to go with pre packaged meals or prepare home cooked meals.