So you’ve decided that you want to lose weight. That’s often the hardest step, so hurrah, well done you! But now you’re probably thinking: which diet is right for me?
Figuring out exactly how you’re going to lose weight is difficult, we know. There are so many options, so many different programmes and methods and so much jargon to wade through. It can be really off-putting when you’re just starting out and you’re not sure what to do.
When it comes down to it, all weight loss is achieved in the same way. You take in fewer calories than you need, creating a calorie deficit, and this is how you lose weight. This is the core of every weight loss programme out there – the difference is in how you do it.
You might slash calories by cutting out carbs, or by keeping an eye on your sugar intake, or by just generally shooting for an all-round low-calorie day. Diets that have you counting points or ‘syns’ are just user-friendly ways of cutting calories.
Research has shown that it actually doesn’t matter which diet you choose, as the most popular ones all have roughly the same results. But although the destination is the same, it’s all about the journey – in order to be successful, you’ve got to find a method that works for you and fits in with your life.
Here at MAN v FAT, we don’t endorse any one diet plan as we recognise that what works for one person might not work for the next. What we do believe in is the freedom to choose whatever method you want, and with this philosophy in mind we like to get ourselves clued up on the most popular diet plans for men.
If you’re stuck on how to lose weight, use our handy guide below as a starting point to find something that suits you. Click the links to read more about each diet.
What diet is right for me?
I want to learn how to cook
Slimming World has a big focus on home cooked meals so if you fancy getting busy in the kitchen then this could be the one for you.
I don't have time to cook
WW prides itself on being completely flexible, meaning that you can still fit convenience food into your day. They also have a huge range of packaged foods you can buy in major supermarkets.
Eating out is a big part of my life
With nutritional information for most food places freely available online, it’s never been easier to eat out and continue to lose weight – using this information to input calorie details into a calorie counting app like MyFitnessPal is very easy. Alternatively, WW has extensive information on meal choices from popular restaurants and fast food outlets available on their app or as a printed guide.
I don’t want to have to think about what I eat
If you want to forget about food, think about giving a food replacement diet a go. The Cambridge Diet, LighterLife and SlimFast are all popular ones.
I don’t mind giving up things
If you do better when you have strict rules to follow, give low-carb diets such as keto a go, or embrace a paleo lifestyle.
I’m tech savvy and want to do things online
There are a lot of good weight loss apps around – there are calorie counting apps like MyFitnessPal and Lose It!, or you could become an online-only member of WW if going to groups is not your cup of tea
I don’t want to feel like I’m on a diet
Slimming World places an emphasis on not having to weigh your food or count points for everything – instead, you can eat freely from a list of ‘free’ foods. This may help if you don’t want to weigh everything you eat.
I want to break unhealthy habits
If you think you’re overweight because of an addiction to sugar or carbs and you want a drastic solution, you could try following a food-elimination diet such as keto or paleo, or for a short-term kickstart give the Whole30 challenge a go.
I want very quick results
If you’ve got a special occasion coming up, or you’ve got a lot of weight to lose and want a kickstart, you could give a very low-calorie diet (VLCD) a go. Popular ones include SlimFast, the Cambridge Diet and LighterLife, all of which have been rigorously tested to ensure they meet your nutritional needs.
I want the support of people who are also trying to lose weight
Slimming World and WW are both famous for their classes – weekly meetings where you, along with a roomful of others trying to lose weight, are weighed and given support by a mentor.
I want the support of someone who has lost weight
Slimming World and WW class leaders are always someone who has lost weight through living the programmes they endorse. The Cambridge Diet also offers one-to-one support with their consultants and you can choose from a list of consultants covering your area.
I just want to keep a general eye on what I’m eating
MyFitnessPal is very easy to use and allows you to just scan the barcodes of what you’re eating – or just grab a notebook and pen to track your intake.
I want to get to the root of why I overeat
If you suspect you may have an eating disorder, we would encourage you to see your GP who will be able to refer you on to the help you need. Otherwise, Lighter Life provide guidance on cognitive behavioural therapy and mindfulness which can help to change your relationship with food.