by Marianne Kelly

Created on: April 06, 2009

Stop the insanity! Life is too short to spend on the myriad of diets that promise to make you pencil thin if only you follow their plan. If you have an extra $300-$400 per month to spare, they'll even deliver their food to your door. Sooner or later you will tire of their food, and find better places to put your money. You will feel as if you are on just another diet.

You don't need to be pencil thin to be healthy. You simply need to find an eating plan that meets your lifestyle and goals. The good news is that you can design your own, and modify it as needed.

Read the first three letters in the word "diet," then banish that word completely from your vocabulary and your life.

The very first thing on your way to diet liberation is to make an appointment with your doctor for a physical exam to assess your general health. Tell your doctor your plan and ask for a referral to a registered Nutritionist. The nutritionist will review your doctor's findings, question you about your lifestyle and taste in food, and make some suggestions. It is a good idea to bring a list of your favorite foods to your appointment. Don't be afraid to ask questions.

Now it's your turn. Armed with information from your doctor and nutritionist, you are now ready to design your personal eating plan.

Based on your daily activities, and guidance from your doctor and nutritionist, decide how many calories you will consume including snacks. Don't drive yourself crazy. You will probably eat more or less than your target each day. Keep everything in balance. If you consume more calories than you need one day, adjust your plan and consume less the next. Be sure to eat a wide variety of food, especially fruits and vegetables. Color is key. The more color you add to your plate, the more inviting, nutritious and interesting your meal.

Many on line recipes will help you design your personal eating plan. Use them as a guide and don't be afraid to experiment, but keep within your guidelines, and watch your portions.

Design a week's menus of breakfasts, lunches, dinners and healthy snacks. Try to eat something every four hours to keep your sugar level constant and the "hungry horrors" at bay. A piece of fruit is a great choice. Add a teaspoon of honey, a handful of nuts, and dried fruit to a cup of plain yogurt. A cup of air popped or light microwave popcorn will keep you satisfied until mealtime.

Next, design enough menus for a month. Keep in mind variety and color. This is your personal eating plan. Make it fun, colorful, inviting to meet your nutritional goals and stave off boredom. Make a detailed shopping list and purchase only those items on your list.

Spend some time each week preparing and freezing your meals. A good trick is to cook double or triple batches. This keeps you from thinking about food and helps avoid temptation when you are too tired to cook. You will always find something you are in the mood for when you take this action.

Finally, save your money. You have probably spent less on groceries than you would on the "meals to your door" diets, and have the food you love, prepared by you in healthy portions.

Be gentle with yourself! You didn't gain weight overnight and you won't lose it that quickly. Your healthy eating plan combined with exercise you enjoy will do wonders for your health and your shape!

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