You want to lose weight. You go onto the internet and you search for “weight loss programs”. You get 502,000,000 results (really!). They include well-known programs, advice from the reputable Mayo Clinic, weight loss plans for four weeks, eight weeks or 12 weeks – and that’s just on the first page.
But which weight loss program is the best one for you?

4 Tips for Choosing the Best Weight Loss Program

One good way to find the right program is to ask yourself some questions. One example is “what are my weight loss goals?”. If you want to lose a lot of weight, the program you choose might be more long-term than if you just want to lose a few pounds.
Here are a few more questions to get you started.

1) Does the Program Sound Reasonable?

This is first for a reason. The internet search results you’ll find can be full of tempting promises. But a good rule of thumb is “if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is”.

A better rule of thumb is, generally speaking, losing any more than two pounds per week gets risky for your health, and you’ll not likely be able to keep it up.

2) Do You Think the Program is Something You Can Do for the Long-Term?

If the two-pounds-a-week rule of thumb tells you nothing else, it should be that healthily losing weight takes time. So any diet plan or physical activities that you take on as part of your weight loss should be something that you can see yourself doing for a long time. Intermittent fasting might sound good, but if you’ve always been a “grazer”, eating meals and snacks throughout the day, fasting might not be something you care to do.

3) Do You Get Support from Nutrition Counsellors?

Whoa, whoa, whoa! Who’s talking about nutrition counsellors? You’re doing this on your own, right?
Well, not if you really want to lose weight. Another aspect of the long-term nature of losing weight healthily and sustainably is that you will have good days and bad days. You’ll also need to develop healthy habits around your food choices and overall eating.

The problem with diets that you find online or in a book is that they want you to believe that their “one-size-fits-all” approach to weight loss will work perfectly for you. (Actually, they really want you to fail so you spend more money on another program.)

But with a nutrition counsellor to help, one whose responsibility it is to help you stay on track, make healthier choices and get over the humps, you’ll exponentially increase your chances of living life at your ideal weight.

4) Can You Access the Program Online?

This is one you might not have considered before. But, whether you need to stay home due to health restrictions, or you just don’t live close to where you have access to the program you prefer, a virtual weight loss program lets you take part, get nutrition counselling and track your progress, without leaving home.

Nutrition counsellors are waiting at your nearest Herbal One Centre to help you healthily lose weight for good. After listening to you about your weight loss preferences and goals, they will custom-design a Herbal One Diet Plan, just for you, with foods you can get at your regular grocery store.

Don’t live close to a Herbal One Centre? Then you can start losing weight right now with our Virtual Weight Loss Program.

Want to learn more about the benefits of having a nutrition counsellor on your side? Check out our article “Why You Need Support for Weight Loss Success”.