Although many of us have been hit by bad weather over the last several weeks, it will soon be Spring and everyone will be ready to take off some layers and show off their bodies. While some people have been working on their weight loss goals since the beginning of the year, many others have slacked off during winter but are ready to give it another try.

While many people want to lose as much weight as they can as quickly as possible, doctors warn that this is unhealthy. Crash diets are what many dieters turn to in order to see fast results, but they can actually sabotage your weight loss plans. Depriving your body of the calories and nutrients it needs in order to function properly can cause it to go into starvation mode. As soon as you return to your normal eating habits, you will gain back all of the weight you lost and maybe even more.

The best way to lose weight and stay healthy is to choose a diet plan that will limit your calories while allowing you to make healthy food choices that will keep you full and keep your body functioning properly.

The Mediterranean diet is a popular and healthy one that many people find success with. This diet involves eating a good amount of citrus fruits, lean meats, olive oil and whole grains, which are healthy and will keep you full without causing you to consume too many calories or fat. Dieters are discouraged from eating refined grains, sugar, and a lot of saturated fats. The diet turns into a healthy lifestyle that allows dieters to keep the weight off and continue to make good food choices.

The South Beach diet is another popular diet that people use for short-term success. Although the diet only offers short-term weight loss results, the habits learned from the diet can be used long-term to make better food choices. The diet involves eating a lot of fish, chicken, lentils, beans, leafy green vegetables, nuts and seeds and olive oil. Because the variety of foods allowed on this diet is small, many people have a hard time staying on it for more than just a few weeks, however, it can be very affective if followed properly.

The Nutrisystem Diet is one of the easier diets to follow and has allowed many people to lose weight successfully. The diet plans are designed for both men and women. This diet is easy to follow because low calorie foods are delivered to the dieter’s door. Each food package is sorted into appropriate serving sizes that are designed to restrict calories and boost weight loss. All you have to do is eat the meals included in the system and you will see results.

What is your favorite diet plan and why?

Image via Wikimedia Commons.