When you first enquire into weight loss plans and diets you are going to be lied to. There's no escaping that fact, because the weight loss industry is a multi-million pound one, and plenty of people are seeking a slice of it. And they will tell you anything to get you to buy into their particular remedy.

Be prepared to spend a great deal of time sorting through all the options available, narrowing it all down to a short- list, and then going through each plan with a critical eye. Look out for any inconsistencies in their promotional material. Are they making promises they can't possibly keep? Do they put their particular product to you as the ultimate failure-proof solution?

If you read anything that purports to be the right product just for you, then be on your guard. After all, they do not know you at all. You are a unique person with your own personality, your own strengths and weaknesses, likes and dislikes, and all the vulnerabilities that all the rest of us have. Your body has its own metabolism and idiosyncrasies which they know nothing about. So how can they be so sure their particular solution will work for you?

The truth is that they don't. They only hope that you'll buy their product. After that - what? Do they offer any kind of guarantee? Such as returning your money if the plan doesn't work? Is the author of the plan medically or nutritionally qualified? Do they know what they're talking about at all?

Only you can decide if a particular weight loss plan or diet system is right for you. You'll probably know within a few seconds of reviewing a product or plan if it has a good chance of working for you. The important thing is this - once you have decided upon a particular diet plan, stick to it. You won't have any chance of success if you deviate from the instructions and go back to your old ways.

And just to be sure, write down what your old ways are. Keep a notebook, or a journal or diary, to record your progress. Start by recording your usual daily food intake. Make a list of the foods you commonly eat, with the amounts, and the number of calories against each. Note your normal daily activity - do you exercise at all, or walk to work or the bus station? Write it all down, so you have a complete picture of how you are eating and what exercise, if any, you are giving yourself.

Now you are beginning to take things really seriously. You'll realise, if you didn't before, that now it is the real thing. No more messing around with some gimmicky quick-fix that will end in failure and disappointment. You're on the road to success.

Keep a written record of your progress. If anything goes wrong and progress slows or halts you can consult your notebook to find the cause. You'll probably know it anyway - a night out when you didn't want to appear a kill-joy by turning down a few drinks or cream cakes, or a couple of days reverting to junk food to console yourself over a disappointment at work.

The secret is to keep at it like a fanatic, no matter what else happens in your life or what other people may think. Your true friends will encourage you and be pleased at your progress. They won't want to be the cause of any setback in your weight loss crusade. Think about what you'll look like and feel like when you've achieved your target. Keep motivated, and you'll be successful, whichever plan you follow.

As to which weight loss program is right for you, check out our home page for an independent review of three leading weight loss programs.

Copyright © 2009 Philip Gegan