We’ve all taken the internet as our own personal dietitian and thought it was going to change our lives for the better; we hate to be the bearer of bad news but that’s not the case at all. The interwebs is full of insight on just about anything, but it is also filled with different opinions and theories. When you’re about to be more serious than ever about adopting a healthy lifestyle with long term goals, and not just wish to fit in that outfit for your summer events in Amman - minus quarantine, then your best bet is to consult with a professional. Your dietitian will conduct a body assessment to make sure your body type is compatible with a diet plan, since the scale is not enough of an analysis. After all, everybody is equal, but not every body is equal. We sat with Haya Al-Attar, a clinical nutritionist and dietitian whose main purpose is to guide people on their journey to a healthy lifestyle and she provided a lot of insight on the topic with the most frequent concerns people usually have.

Out for blood:

More than you think, a lot of people could be suffering from unknown medical issues that affect their weight overall which results in weight frustration every single time leading them to believe that nothing works for them. Haya believes that some people have problems that they have no idea exist such as vitamins deficiencies and polycystic ovaries that make weight loss almost impossible. Haya recommends a regular medical blood test, in order to pinpoint issues that can be taken into consideration when given a diet plan tailored to that person with higher chances of it being efficient. 

The know-it-alls:

People think a dietitian is somebody who only fixes our weight issues which is false, that is just the surface. Haya Al-Attar describes herself and those like her in the profession as health professionals who customize a person’s diet based on their medical conditions and information obtained from a blood test. They add and subtract depending on what you have or lack in your body that is standing in the way between you and your long term health goals that can be maintained. 

The food pyramid, but better:

For the sake of your metabolism’s maximum efficiency, a balanced diet should include three main meals everyday being breakfast, lunch and dinner and two light snacks. Haya explains that a healthy diet should also maintain your blood sugar and energy levels so that it functions normally even if you alter your lifestyle. You would think the less the better, but it is actually not in the quantity of calories you consume but rather their quality. Take this as a golden rule - the less you eat, the more you will eat. We don’t make the rules. If you divide your meals based on a 2-3 hour gap system, you won’t feel the need to go too crazy. 

A complimentary duo:

There is a myth surfacing amongst people suggesting that exercising might get in the way of your weight loss process, but they actually go hand in hand and Haya proves so. Weight loss does not only mean lighter on the scale, it is more about how your body looks and feels. Any diet in the books that burns fat offers seriously noticeable change in how a body looks, and in all the places - right and wrong! If you prefer a certain area in your body to stay the same, that’s where you need a proper workout regime to sculpt your body however you choose while burning fat in other undesirable areas. Ditch the scale people, and focus on your before and after photos.