How to Organize Your Diet Plan

Organizing your own diet plan is a great way to succeed in your weight loss goals. After deciding what your goal weight is, all you have to do is choose your calories wisely and get plenty of exercise.

Instructions

1

Find out how many calories you need to consume a day to maintain your current weight. There are plenty of calculators you can find online.

2

Set realistic goals. Aim to lose 1 to 2 lbs. a week by subtracting 500 to 1,000 calories from your normal daily intake. It is not recommended to lose more than that amount of weight per week, according to the Mayo Clinic.

3

Purchase a couple of calorie-counter books from your local book store -- or check them out at the library. These books will include all the nutritional information such as calories and fat content on most foods. Look up some of the foods you eat on a daily basis and find out if they're healthy choices. Don't forget to look up smaller items such as the mayonnaise you might put on your sandwiches.

4

Create a meal plan for the week using the calorie-counter book to influence your choices. Include breakfast, lunch, dinner and two snacks. Write down what you are going to eat for every day of the week in a notebook. Eat a diet filled with fruits, vegetables, whole grains and lean protein. Do not eat the same foods every day. For example, if you eat oatmal for breakfast one morning, eat a peice of wheat toast and fruit the next day. Your total calorie amount for the day should be 500 less than the calorie amount needed to maintain your current weight.

5

Exercise regularly. While you can lose weight without it, working out will make you lose weight quicker. It will also tone your muscles and make you stronger. An effective way to lose body fat is to do aerobic exercise -- such as riding your bike -- for at least 30 minutes most days of the week. Other calorie-burning activities include cleaning the house or mowing the lawn, can burn calories. Clip pictures of different exercises from magazines and put them in your notebook. These should include the most effective cardio and strength-training routines.

6

Reward yourself when you have reached your goal each week. Write down a list of rewards in your notebook such as buying a new shirt or getting a pedicure to keep you motivated.