There are thousands of diet plans available these days, and there are just as many different workout programs. The trendy diets and workout plans of the past couple of years (think Paleo, Dukan, the 17-Day Diet, hCG, PINK, P90X, Insanity and more) will rise, peak and fall just like the popular diet and workout plans of the past. There will always be a new, trendy diet or workout plan. As different as they all may be, they all have one thing in common: They promise to be "the program" to help you take off the weight. But can they all be telling the truth?
 
As a health and fitness professional, the question I get asked most often revolve around my opinion on other diet or fitness programs.

 
My answer to these common questions may surprise you.
 
The real truth is that you can lose weight and tone up by following just about any diet or fitness program.
 
As simple and honest as that answer is, here's another truth: It will only work if you consistently follow the program exactly as it is prescribed. That's right: Any diet will work if you actually follow it. Any workout program will help you get results if you're doing it day in and day out.
 
Trouble is, few of us really do that. We get enticed by glossy infomercials showing how "regular people" just like us "finally" got the bodies of their dreams! They look and feel great now! They followed this plan and it worked and nothing else before ever worked for them! This has to be the answer! If they could do it, so can you!
 
It's enticing. It's believable. It's (mostly) truthful, too.  
 
But the reason those people became success stories featured in a magazine or on television isn't because there was something special about that particular diet or this specific fitness program. It was because, for whatever reason, this was the time that Martha from Florida finally stuck with any program long enough to get results.  It worked for her—just like other diets or fitness plans worked for others—because she simply did something consistently. She was highly motivated to stick it out this time.
 
The point I'm trying to make is that while any program can work for you, it will only work if you are actually following it. Raise your hand if you've bought a book, a DVD, a product "as seen on TV" to help you get fit or lose weight. Probably most of us have our hands up (myself included). Now keep your hand up if you actually followed the program you purchased exactly as it was outlined…for more than a couple days or a few weeks. Most hands are down, I'm guessing.
 
When it comes to weight loss, eating less and moving more are the keys. It really is that simple. But the consistency factor is where we tend to fall short. What works for your co-worker might not work for you if you're not as motivated as she happens to be. Or if your brother-in-law is transforming his body with some new workout, it's probably because he enjoys the structure of the workout enough to stick to it, which may not be the case for you. Which plan will work for you? Whatever plan you are motivated and excited about enough to stick with for the long haul.
 
Now comes my preach about lifestyle change. While just about any diet can work, the more restrictions you place on yourself, the harder it'll be to stick with, so it's best to make simple, healthy changes that you can live with. (Oh, and avoid weird or extreme diets that go against the widely accepted basic principles of nutrition.) In terms of exercise, I tell people that the only exercise that will ever work is something that you will actually do. I stand behind my recommendation to find something that you think is fun and also fits into your lifestyle. For most of us, extreme workout plans aren't the answer. Know yourself. The only plan that will ever work is one that you are willing to commit to.
 
This is what SparkPeople is all about: finding the eating and exercise strategies that work for you, and getting the motivation to stick with them. We give you the ideas, support and tips to get moving and eat better in a healthy way, but it's up to you to choose the strategies that appeal to you and put them into practice.
 
No single diet or fitness plan works for everyone—but everyone CAN get results if they are willing to put in the work to make it happen.
 
Do you agree? What works for you?

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