If you don't know where you are, you'll likely never get to where you want to go.
Everywhere I turn I see weight loss ads promising that on their diet, you will lose 5 pounds in two days, or 10 pounds in two weeks or 30 pounds in 30 days. Sounds great, right? Especially if you have a wedding or vacation in your future and want to look and feel your best in a short time frame.
But do these claims work? In the health world, there's a lot of disagreement on what weight loss or fitness plans are the best. However, most nutrition experts do agree on one thing – slow and steady is the key to sustainable weight loss.
I tell my patients the effectiveness of weight loss plans – mine included – should not be measured by how much weight you lose in the first week, or even the second week. In my practice, this is actually the time we use to collect data on metabolism, nutrient status, lifestyle, habits, food choices, and exercise. We then base the patient's weight loss plan on their own data. This way, their program is almost second nature from the start.
Might sound cheesy, but I like to say, "If you don't know where you are, you'll likely never get to where you want to go." PS, if the whole doctor thing doesn't work out, I'm going into business writing motivational greeting cards.
Personally, I think it's better to judge the effectiveness of a weight loss plan after 1 month (Yes, it can take that long to see results) then 3 months and see what you look like. Reassess in 6 months, 9 months, then a year after and so on. The goal is to find out what works and what doesn't for YOU long term. Might sound like a process, well, because it is. But in my opinion, it's the only way to find out how to successfully lose weight and maintain that weight loss for the long run.
Do you have more questions about this blog post or Dr. Charlie Seltzer’s weight loss program? Contact Us, and we’ll get back to you within 24 hours.
