The Ideal Meal plan for Weight loss

By Karen Sherwood, N.C.

Meal plans for weight loss are seen everywhere. But plans that actually work long term are few and far between. The reason is simple…Many diet plans put together by dieticians and nutritionists are done based on the scientific fact that calories in vs calories out is the only determining factor in weight loss. In addition, the diet plans are looked at as something “temporary” and often very restrictive. This automatically sets the client up for failure because he or she isn’t looking at it as a lifestyle change, but instead, a transitory eating plan to shed pounds. One that’s sure to change upon discontinuing the specified program. Even the nationally televised fitness camp, “The Biggest Loser” likes to focus on temporary solutions rather than providing the tools necessary to not only reach their fitness goals, but to maintain them once their program comes to an end.

So we ask, what is a better solution? The answer lies deep within each individual client. Therefore, it is important for the staff of any weight loss facility to get to know each person and what their general relationship is with food. One of the best ways to do this is having a therapist work along with a nutritionist to help their mutual client formulate healthier thoughts when it comes to eating. For example, helping the clients learn to look at food as fuel most of the time and entertainment only some of the time. Often, clients get this backwards and believe that every time they eat, it must be an amusement park in their mouth. This adds additional fat, sugar, salt, and calories to every meal when it is not always necessary. If we can teach our clients to shift this mindset, and look at food as nourishment, we are already taking steps in the right direction. Though moderation must also be taught for it is important that the entertainment factor be considered some of the time, or the entire process of eating healthily becomes stagnant.

Using food as a reward is another destructive pattern that is prevalent among many overweight people. It doesn’t help when shows like, “The Biggest Loser” use ice-cream sundaes as rewards for achieving a particular weight loss goal. This only makes the pattern more difficult to break as it is often learned behavior from childhood. However, once the clients begin to make the shift, tremendous progress is made within a short period of time. Total calories consumed drops almost in half, and weight begins to melt off.

These are just a few examples of big changes that can occur once the mind/body connection is acknowledged. Any nutritionist can put together a meal plan for a client, though it would be ineffective unless the client’s mindset changes for the better. This groundwork must be established before long term changes are seen. Along with nutritional knowledge, this ideal meal plan will help to solidify healthy eating habits that will result in weight loss, health, vitality and success for not only the client, but to all who had the pleasure of being involved in their success.