I was checking out at a store's cashier station today and I picked up a magazine and read an article about leading diet plans on the market today. The article discussed the pros and cons of about 25 different diet plans. Some of them were pretty solid and some were a little wacky. Of course, each diet plan is trying to sell something and make money. What you need to know as a consumer is this: the most sensible and successful (long-term) way to lose weight, lose body fat and maintain good health is to exercise regularly and eat nutritiously. History and research have proven this again and again. A good nutrition and exercise plan for most people to use would be this:



1) Lift weights 3 days a week and do cardio (30 minutes) at least 5 days a week.



2) Have a diet comprised of:



--60%-70% Carbs (from carbs like fruits, veggies, pasta and whole grains). Keep in mind that your body's preferred source of energy is carbs and fat burns in a carb flame.



--20% Fats , mostly unsaturated.



--10%-20%, Proteins , to repair and rebuild body tissues.



Use this general guide if you must use one of those diet plans out on the market.