So you aren’t ready to pop a pill, staple your stomach, or dive into the world of eating disorders to lose weight. Still, you want to drop a few pounds for both your physical health, as well as your mental and emotional health.

Consult a Doctor

Doctors have an M.D. after their names for a reason: They know what they are talking about. Talk with your doctor about tailoring a program that will fit your needs

Don’t Fall for Fads

You may be tempted to go carb cutting, protein boosting, or sugar busting, but the truth is, these diets can cause serious health problems and lead to dissatisfaction. Beyond the medical problems with these diets, you may become bored with meat and cheese, and cheese and meat. Yes, there are many low-carb products out there that are trying to help the consumer control their carbohydrate intake, but these are low- carb products, not no-carb products. Once you build up enough of the 1-3 carb per serving bites, you may end up taking in as many carbohydrates as you once were before you started your diet. Once you reach that threshold, you are no longer eating a low-carb diet, but simply a high fat diet.

Reasonable Diets

Weight Watchers is by far one of the most reasonable diets out there. You don’t cut out any particular part of an essentially healthy diet. It is all still there: the carbs, the fats, the proteins, even the occasional sweets. The goal is moderation and exercise.

As someone who has been on the Weight Watchers Plan before, I can honestly say it was the only diet I have tried – as compared to Atkins, South Beach, and Herbal Life – in which I saw significant weight loss that I was able to maintain.

There are other ways in addition to Weight Watchers to lose weight in a healthy manner. Again, consult your doctor and create a plan that is right for you.

It Just Takes Time

I know for me, the most frustrating thing about trying to lose weight is that it takes months for me to get where I want to be. Most of the time, I end up quitting before I reach my goal and end up exactly where I started. It’s time the world and I started realizing the truth: dramatic change does not happen healthily overnight. It takes moderation, dedication, and patience.