The Body Care Retreat

Free Weight Loss Programs

Posted on 28 July 2011

The race to health and fitness is raging and plenty of people are getting in on it. Some people do it in order to achieve a sexy body, some people do it because they are embarrassed about their body, while others do it just to remain fit and healthy. As such, there are hundreds of fitness programs on the Internet, in gyms, spas and fitness centres all over the world. Some are very – so expensive that you will lose weight quickly, just because you have to work hard to earn the money to pay for these fitness programs.

You may not need to go to the gym or the spa or any fitness centre and spend a fortune just to slim down and obtain that longed for sexy body. There are many books available in the bookshops offering weight loss programs that seem convenient and cheap. However, the books are not cheap though. These diet plans are gaining increased popularity because of their publicity, testimonials and reviews and you might be confused as to exactly which one to buy. So before you pick which weight loss plan to follow, try reading the following precis of the most popular diet programs out today.

Atkins’ New Diet Revolution by Dr. Atkins: This weight loss program encourages a high protein diet with a restricted carbohydrate consumption. You can eat loads of vegetables and meat, but must not eat bread, rice or pasta. You are not restricted with your fat consumption so it is all right to pour on the (correct) salad dressing and freely spread on the butter. However, during the diet, some people may find themselves lacking fibre and high on fat and cholesterol. Grains and fruits are also strictly restricted.

The Carbohydrate Addict’s Diet by Drs. Heller. This diet plan also advocates following a low carbohydrate diet. It suggests eating mostly meats, vegetables and fruit, dairy and grain products. however, warns against consuming too many carbohydrates. So-called “Reward Meals” can be quite high in fats and saturated fats.

Choose to Lose: by Dr. Goor. Restricts fat intake. You are given a “fat” budget and you are given free reign on how to spend it. It does not pressure the individual to watch his carbohydrate intake. Eating meat and poultry as well as low-fat dairy and seafood is OK. You may also consume vegetables, fruits, cereals, bread and pasta. This weight loss plan is fairly healthy, because it recommends healthy amounts of fruits and vegetables and saturated fats. Watch your triglyceride levels though. If they are high, cut down on the carbohydrates and eat more unsaturated fats.

The DASH Diet. Recommends eating a fairly moderate amount of fat and protein but a great deal of carbohydrates. It was primarily designed to reduce blood pressure. The diet plan follows the pyramid food guide and encourages a high intake of whole wheat grains as well as fruit and vegetables and low-fat dairy. However, some dieters think it advises too much consumption to produce a significant weight loss.

Eat More, Weigh Less: by Dr. Ornish. Primarily vegetarian food and strictly low-fat. Warns to look out for low-fat dairy and egg whites. This diet plan is low in calcium and limits the consumption of healthy foods like seafood and lean poultry.

Eat Right for Your Type: This scheme is quite interesting because it centres its advice on your blood group. For instance, it advises plenty of meat for people with the blood type O. However, diet plans for some blood types are nutritionally unbalanced and too low in calories. However, just for the record, there is no proof that blood type can affect dietary requirements.

The Pritkin Principle: It focuses on cutting back on the number of calories by eating ‘wet’ foods that make you feel full. It recommends eating vegetables, fruits, oatmeal, pasta, soups, salads and low-fat dairy, which it says is fine, although it also restricts protein sources to lean meat, seafood and poultry. It is healthy since it allows low amounts of saturated fats and rather large amounts of vegetables and fruits. However, it is low on calcium and restricts lean protein sources.

Volumetrics: It recommends consuming fewer calories. It recommends about the same foodstuffs as Pritkin but limits fatty food and grain foodstuffs like popcorn, pretzels and crackers. This plan is fairly healthy given the high amounts of fruit and vegetables. It also recommends eating fewer calories and saturated fats.

The Zone: It is moderately low on carbohydrates but fairly high on proteins. It encourages low-fat protein foods like fish and chicken plus vegetables, fruits and grains. It is also healthy but lacking in grains and calcium.

Weight Watchers: They recommend high carbohydrate meals, yet are moderate on fats and proteins. A very healthy diet program and very flexible too. It permits the dieter to plan his own meals rather than offering recipes, although there are WW TV dinners in the shops.

Are you interested in a rapid weight loss diet? If you are, please visit our website entitled Quick Weight Loss. Also published at Free Weight Loss Programs.