Most men and women include weight loss as one of their New Year’s resolutions. If you’re still resolving to lose weight, it’s never too late. The first step is to control your food intake with the best diet.
But with over a thousand diet programs to choose from, how will you know which one really works? Last 2011 was the year of juice cleanses, and dieters soon discovered that the program was not for everyone. This year, experts say that there is not a single solution effective for all. The best diets are the ones you can do long-term.
In this article, we give you a list of new diets for 2012 to help you choose which program is best suited for your needs. Descriptions and specific diet modifications are provided for each diet plan.
The 17 Day Diet
Created by San Diego physician Dr. Mike Moreno, ‘The 17 Day Diet’ aims to help people kick-start their weight loss. The plan is actually 68 days long, divided into four cycles – thus, 17 days. This shorter period makes the program less monotonous than others. The first cycle is a bit extreme, requiring you to eat a restrictive diet of 1,200 calories a day. The next cycle, however, introduces more calories while the remaining two are designed to help you integrate long-term healthy eating habits. Unlike juice cleanses, Moreno’s plan is fairly balanced and does not completely remove one major source of nutrition.
Weight Watchers Points Plus
Weight Watchers, an established international company offering diet programs, has recently changed their old plan with Points Plus. They have retired their old points programs to keep up with science behind successful weight loss plans. In this approach, they focus on what they call “power foods” which include lean proteins, whole grains, healthy fats, fruits, and vegetables. They also offer new daily points targets for each day. The flexibility of the plan makes it easy to sustain long-term.
Jillian Michaels’ Diet Plan
Best known as a trainer on the popular television series ‘The Biggest Loser’, Jillian Michaels is the epitome of diet programs. With this impression left on thousands of viewers, her online diet plan became one of the most recommended diets for 2011. Three major elements are emphasized in her plan: diet, exercise and behavioral modification. The program is also personalized and is based on your metabolic profile, emotional tendencies, personal goals and health conditions. The diet itself is balanced and includes all food groups.
The Mommy Diet
Host Alison Sweeney of the ‘The Biggest Loser’ also used the exposure to reach out to the group with the biggest weight problem: new moms. ‘The Mommy Diet’ is inspired by her own experiences, making it relatable to other moms as well. The diet is divided into stages of motherhood, from pregnancy to birth. The host recommends usual standards to help start any regime as well as exercises for moms who want to look and feel their best while raising a family.
South Beach Diet Supercharged
The South Beach Diet has been around for quite some time, and recently it has released a new version called South Beach Diet Supercharged. This program quickly rose up the ranks as one of the best diets for 2011. The revised plan now features a three-phased workout plan that mirrors each phase of the diet. Expect your diet to be limited to low-proteins, low-starch vegetables and low-fat dairy.