10 Tips To Successful Dieting
Going on a weight loss diet is not the easiest thing to do
. If you gained all that weight because of your love for food and eating, then it certainly follows that you would have to control it or else switch to a different mindset altogether. Giving up something that drove you to indulge in it excessively is a truly a formidable but conquerable challenge. You can be a successful dieter if you follow the 10 Tips to Successful Dieting given below:
1.Make a lifestyle change.
You should decide to look at dieting as something positive. And why not? Eating right is really what dieting is all about. What is really negative are your fattening food preferences and eating habits which you are now trying to change and undo. Looking at dieting as merely a way to get rid of excess weight will lead you back to your old high calorie diet and weight gaining eating habits. One of the basic things you need to do in order to lose weight is to start eating healthy foods in portions that are just right for you.
2.Exercise regularly.
Losing weight by merely dieting is not enough. You need to include an exercise component in your weight loss program. Exercise will give you a toned and lean look compared to the merely thin look you get from dieting. More importantly, exercise offers many health benefits such as cardiovascular conditioning, increased muscular strength and improved flexibility. However, if you have been living a sedentary lifestyle for some time, make sure to consult with your doctor first before embarking on any exercise program.
3.Keep yourself well-hydrated.
According to experts, we should drink at least eight glasses of water everyday aside from the water we get from the food we eat and other fluids we take in. To avoid dehydration, it is likewise very important to drink water before, during and after exercise.
In his bestselling book, Your Body's Many Cries for Water, Dr. Bhatmanjhelig advises that we should drink at least one half ounce of water for every pound of body weight. Thus, a person who weighs 150 pounds should drink a minimum of 75 ounces of clean purified water daily.
4.Practice portion control.
Keep in mind that restaurants serve oversized portions therefore you do not have to eat the entire meal or else you would be stuffing yourself with loads of calories. You can share a single order with a friend or a family member so you don't get tempted to eat everything. It is also important to remember that even with health foods, you have to practice portion control because a calorie is a calorie. Regardless of whether you get them from junk food or healthy food, they still add up.
5.Keep a food journal.
A food journal is not just a record of the foods you eat. It should include the time you ate, what triggered you to eat, how you felt when you were eating and other details that will give you a better insight into your eating behavior and the kind of relationship you have with food. You will be able to identify both your good and bad habits and use this information in planning what you should in order to optimize your weight loss efforts. Journaling makes you accountable to yourself and this does a lot in breaking the vicious cycle of overeating.
6.Never skip meals.
You might think that skipping meals would work to your advantage but the truth is it will only set you up for bingeing later on in the day. The hunger will eventually catch up and you will end up eating more than you should. In addition, irregular eating habits will confuse your metabolism causing it to slow down. When this happens, it becomes inefficient at burning calories. In order to maintain a healthy metabolism, eat smaller portions and eat more frequently.
7.Get rid of the junk food habit.
Make sure you don't have junk food around your house as you would be tempted to munch on them. What you can do is to prepare low calorie snacks, put them in containers and stick them in the fridge where you can reach for them anytime.
8.Modify your favorite recipes.
There are ways to de-calorize your favorite fattening recipes. Learn about healthier substitutes for high calorie ingredients as well as less fattening ways to cook food. At the same time, it is important to have the right mindset. If you keep on thinking about dieting as a form of deprivation, then chances are you would eventually cheat on your diet or quit altogether.
9.Find ways to manage your stress.
Although stress is a part of life, being overstressed can take its toll on your health. If you are anxious and tense, you can either lose your appetite or eat compulsively. Find a way to manage your stress so you don't resort to destructive eating behaviors.
10.Develop a Support Network
Support is crucial especially when one is going through a personal challenge such as losing weight. In fact, research has proven that it is one of the most critical elements of weight loss success. But even without scientific proof we all know that the support of loved ones and friends make us work a little harder and it gives meaning to all our endeavors. Also, people who are in a group have a better chance of achieving weight loss success than those who do it on their own.
by: Charles Volcolatte
The Numerous Benefits Of A High Fiber Diet Height Weight Chart - The Reverse Side Of Fitness Height Weight Chart - Fitness For Your Child A High Fiber Diet: Cleansing And Detoxifying The Natural Way A Closer Look At Weight Loss Surgery Eliminate Gastric Trouble With A High Fiber Diet Eco-friendly Ways To Lose Weight Choosing The Best Weight Loss Pills Getting Started On A Low-carb Diet Diet Elimination For Good Weight Loss Surgery To Treat Obesity Weight Loss: Adjust And Enhance Your Appearance After Weight Loss Surgery The Diet That Works, Great Lessons From Caveman