|
A Few Important Questions For Evaluating A Weight Loss Management Program
September 6th, 2009Here are a few key questions you want to ask when evaluating a weight loss program.
In relation to the Program Itself - What’s involved in following the program?
Ask for fine points about what foods and how many calories you’ll have every day, and whether the plan includes uniform physical activity such as cardio or weight training. A weight loss program that claims you can lose weight and keep it off without changing the foods you consume or increasing your physical activity is selling a castle in the sky and should be avoided.
Most individuals do best when they bring down their daily calorie intake or step up the calories they burn by about 500-1000 calories per day. This allows you to eat a sufficient amount for good nutrition and, if followed each day, helps you lose about 1 to 2 pounds a week. For diets under 1500 calories, be sure to consult with your health care giver to make sure you meet all your nutrient requirements. Including low-calorie munchies in your meal plan may help prevent you from becoming so starved that you end up overeating or binging.
Reasonable programs will encourage you to follow some straightforward dietary counsel such as eating at least five daily servings of fruits and vegetables, and choosing whole grains, lean meats and low-fat or fat-free dairy products. Watch out for programs that have excessive diets. Some of the intense programs result in dramatic losses initially due to fluid loss, but cannot maintain the loss over time. Stick to common sense here and the weight loss might come more slowly but will be more likely to remain for the future.
How about the Staff - What are their qualifications
If a program includes aid from staff members, inquire about their training, experience and credentials. Find out what type of consideration you’ll be given (for example, individual analysis or group support) and how regularly. Also find out the proportion of staff to members, because no matter how skilled the staff may be, if they do not have time to meet with you, it is of little value. Some programs will advertise a big name personality, but good luck in finding an opening with them. Many times they only provide their name to the program.
On the risks - What are the risks of using this weight loss plan?
Some methods for losing weight are more risky than others. Diets that demand extreme food restriction should be under the direction of a physician. Get facts about side effects or risks that can crop up from using the product or service. Consult with your primary health care provider before you take prescription or over-the-counter weight loss drugs or added products that are part of the weight loss program. Steer clear of damaging “self help” weight loss tactics, such as smoking, fasting, purging, or abusing laxatives.
Concerning the cost - What is the full cost for this weight loss program
Ask for an itemized price list that includes membership fees, fee for weekly visits, and costs for things such as diagnostic tests, food meal replacements, dietary supplements, or other products in the program.
Some programs offer a money back guarantee. The downside is that is may take a few weeks to see results, so look for the longest evaluation period possible, 60 days if possible. Also look at the fine print to see if there are limitations or other qualifications placed on the guarantee.
About the future - How do I increase my chances for keeping the weight off?
Honest programs will give you information about difficulties that many dieters undergo with keeping weight off and how you can raise your likelihood for success. Ask whether the program can provide studies that verify its success. If so, ask what fraction of their customers have concluded the entire program, how much weight they lost in total, and how successfully they’ve kept the weight off during the next year or longer. You may not be able to get all of this information, but grab what you can pick up. Remember, information based on only some of the people in the program almost certainly reflects those who were the most successful at meeting their weight loss goals.