When it comes to losing weight, your diet will play a big part in whether you'll shed pounds and how long it will take. Choosing the right weight loss plan isn't always easy, though, but you should make sure whatever you pick has these three features.

Foods You Enjoy Eating Over a Long Period of Time

According to some research, between 80 and 95 percent of people who lose weight end up gaining it back. There are numerous reasons why this occurs, but a common one is people often look at diets as a temporary change in their eating habits rather than a lifelong adjustment needed to maintain their results.

As a result, they settle on diet plans restricting them from eating certain foods or that include meals made from ingredients they don't really like. Not only does this make it difficult for them to stick to the diet—increasing the odds they'll quit early—it almost guarantees they'll gain weight when they return to their old eating habits.

Weight loss and maintenance is a lifelong process, so it's essential your plan includes foods you wouldn't mind eating over and over again for years to come. Following the program won't feel quite so onerous, and there's less chance you'll gain back the weight since your favorite foods have already been accounted for.

Affordable Meals That Fit Your Lifestyle

Something people often overlook is the affordability and accessibility of the foods included in the weight loss plan. A diet doesn't do you a whole lot of good if you can't afford to purchase the things you need to adhere to it or you can't get many of the items because they're not available in your area.

Likewise, a weight loss plan that doesn't fit your lifestyle or your particular health needs is doomed to fail as well. For instance, the diet requires you to do a lot of meal prep, but you work two jobs and just don't have the time. You're more likely to stop following the plan because it's too inconvenient to do so.

When reviewing a meal plan, look at the types of foods you're required to eat. Some weight loss programs require you to purchase a box of prepackaged foods every week. Can you afford them? Are there cheaper substitutes you can get? If you have to make your own meals, how much time is involved, and does it work with your schedule? Can you prep those foods in batches to save time?

The better a plan integrates into both your monetary and time budget, the easier it will be to follow it to success.

Adequate Calories and Nutrients

Lastly, but most importantly, the weight loss plan should provide adequate amounts of calories and nutrients. You can both inadvertently sabotage your weight loss and jeopardize your health if you're unbalanced in either of these categories.

For instance, extreme cuts in the number of calories you eat can lower your metabolism and cause fatigue, among other things. So, you'll burn calories at a slower rate and will likely be too tired to get through your day let alone do any type of exercise. You may even end up reaching for sugary foods to boost your energy, which can throw your whole weight loss plan off track.

Likewise, you can suffer a number of health problems if you don't get the recommended daily amounts of vitamins and minerals. Your immune system may not function properly, for example, resulting in you getting sick more easily and take longer to recover.

You should have your healthcare provider take a look at your diet plan to ensure it provides you what you need to stay healthy while losing weight and make adjustments as needed. It may take you longer to shed the pounds, but you'll look and feel great while doing it.

For more information about weight loss plans, contact a weight loss center like Horizon Weight Loss in your area.