Weekly diet plan to lose weight

More than 2 million people have visited my two-week rapid weight loss plan, making it the most popular weight-loss plan I’ve ever put on my website. Success stories from people who have shed pounds by following the diet have poured into our offices, and I couldn’t be more thrilled to see so many people taking charge of their health.

Another mark of how invested people are in the plan is the number of excellent questions we’ve received from people who want to make sure they’re following the plan in the safest, most healthy way. Today, I’m answering some of your most frequently-asked questions:

Is it safe for diabetics to do this diet?
In short, it is safe for diabetics to follow this diet, but they must talk to their doctors first. Here’s why:

This weight loss plan is chock-full of low-glycemic vegetables, lean proteins and healthy fats – essentially the building blocks of a diabetic-friendly diet. It also cuts out a lot of the carb-heavy, sugary foods that are responsible for skyrocketing blood sugar in people with diabetes. However, because diabetics’ medication regimens are often calibrated to their typical diets, an abrupt change in diet may affect how those medications affect you. If you are diabetic, you are likely to benefit from following this weight-loss plan, but you must consult your physician beforehand to make sure that your medications will be properly adjusted. You should also take extra care to check your blood sugar regularly.

Certain other medical conditions may also be impacted by a sudden change in diet. For example, people who have gastrointestinal disorders that may impact nutrient absorption, people with eating disorders, or people who have increased dietary needs such as pregnant women should all consult their doctors before starting any new diet.

Can I include seasonings in my food?
Most spices and seasonings are a great, low-calorie way to make a meal tastier and often healthier. Some spices, like capsaicin, may even have appetite-dampening effects, while others like turmeric may help decrease inflammation. One seasoning you should watch out for, though, is salt. Most Americans get far too much sodium in our diets, which can contribute to increased blood pressure, weight gain, bloating, stroke risk, kidney disease and heart disease. You should limit added salt as much as possible, and as always, check any food labels to make sure you are picking the lowest sodium options.

Can I add sweeteners like honey or artificial sweeteners to my food?
One of the great things about this diet is its ability to help break your cravings for all kinds of fatty, high-calorie, high-carb foods that are standing between you and good health. Part of getting rid of these cravings is cutting out the sweet tastes (including honey) that train your body to want more and more calories. Plus, a wealth of recent research has shown that artificial sweeteners may actually affect your metabolism and cause you to eat more and gain weight. They may even increase diabetes risk. That’s why I don’t want you to add in extra sugar or artificial sweeteners while you’re on this diet. Plus, once the cravings are broken, don’t stop there – keep saying no to those artificial or added sweeteners and your body will thank you.

What does no additional exercise mean?
You don’t need to do any exercise beyond what you normally do in order to complete the diet and benefit from your hard work. However, I’ll be the last person to say you shouldn’t add more exercise into your daily routine. Exercise benefits nearly every organ in your body, is essential for a healthy heart and brain and has been linked to a longer life. Try to get at least 30 minutes of moderate activity a day, but go beyond that if you can.

Can I eat as much fruit as I want?
Fruits are packed with lots of great vitamins, fiber and nutrients, which is why we made sure that our weight-loss plan includes a morning smoothie full of berries and bananas. However, fruits are also high in sugar, which can complicate your efforts to kick your cravings and stabilize your blood sugar. Our plan includes a full list of low-glycemic vegetables that will help keep your blood sugar stable, and you can eat as many of those as you’d like – but limit the fruits to what we’ve specified in the diet plan.