Dieting Tips
Commit Yourself.
The tomorrow diet:- if today is not right, then start your diet
program tomorrow or when you feel that it is right for you. Don't
start knowing that you have a big hurdle at the first bend, i.e.
holiday, party etc. However once committed go for it with full
determination to succeed.
Write down why YOU are dieting.
Make a list of reasons for you to start your new diet regime, and
look at these in times of difficulty, some examples:
- to give yourself more self-confidence.
- to live a healthy lifestyle.
- the summer is coming and you want to look good.
Make duplicate copies of your list.
Place a copy on any of the food cupboards / fridge doors in the
house.
Place one on your weighing scales or in front of your mirror.
Carry a copy with you, or make loads of copies and use the back of
these as shopping lists.
Feel good about yourself.
A negative attitude guarantees negative results. Always feel good
about yourself, make sure your self esteem is high. Even if people
pass comment about your weight, you know that you are make a
positive change. Don't let the pressures of thin being beautiful get
to you.
Stay Positive.
Look at all the negatives with a positive, yeah you're chunky - but
you're funky - you can go out and enjoy yourself. Change everything
to make you feel positive.
Avoid the Scales.
Your weight fluctuates mostly due to water weight on a daily basis.
Limit your scale visits to no more than once a week. Weigh yourself
on the same day and at the same time every week, and monitor your
progress, not just your weight but also how you feel.
Reward Yourself.
Set yourself achievable goals, and treat yourself when you reach
them, i.e. when you lose X amount, go and have a facial or new
haircut.
Its your Diet.
Everyone is different on this planet, so everyone will have
different results with how they are progressing on different diets.
Don't compare your progress with anyone else's, yes have the support
of a dieting group, but if you have a bad week compared to your
dieting colleagues don't worry.
Picture your Motivation.
Having photos of yourself when you were slimmer, or pictures of your
family can help you stay on track, use what pictures work for you.
Stay away from Depressing people and TV programs.
Watching or listening to depressing people rubs onto you, when most
people are depressed they find food a comfort.
Keep records of how much you Eat.
Food diary's will help you analysis your eating habits, make sure
that you eat at least 3 well balanced meals a day, avoid bingeing
and starving yourself at all costs. Use the diary to see when any
bad habits arise, and prepare yourself for these, i.e. the weekends.
Kick one Vice at a Time.
Aiming to give up smoking, chocolate, caffeine, alcohol, or any
habit that has been a pleasure should be done one at a time in order
for you and your body to adjust to the change.
Keep your food in the Kitchen.
Storing food in your bedroom, desk at work or in your car should be
avoided, all these little snacks add up the calories you eat daily.
Always have Breakfast.
Start the day the right way, if you skip your first meal, you will
just end up eating some junkie snack food.
Eat before you get Hungry.
Aim to eat before you get hungry to avoid preparing larger meals
which you will just force yourself to eat. Try to eat your meals at
the same time each day to condition your body to expect food at
certain times.
Avoid nibbling when Cooking.
Start your eating when you sit at the table, you don't need to eat
half the meal in the kitchen before it goes on your plate, if you
find it hard to stop picking whilst you cook, aim to chew some gum.
Drink plenty of Water.
Help your body feel hydrated by keeping your fluid stores high,
especially prior to eating, look at natural spring water's rather
than carbonated as these can upset the digestive system.
Eat Slowly.
Take time eating your food, aim to taste it, chew it properly,
placing the fork down after each mouthful, drinking sips of water at
regular intervals to help with digestion.
Use small Plates and Cutlery.
Small plates make portions look bigger, small cutlery stops you
shoveling your food in, and again helps slow down your eating
process.
Clean up All The Food.
After you have eaten, either put the food in the bin, or storage
rather than leaving it out. If the kids or your partner don't finish
their meal, it does not mean that you can.
Brush Your Teeth.
Brushing your teeth after every meal makes you less tempted to eat.
Brush and floss after your evening meal; many people agree this
helps avoid late-night cravings for snacks.
Avoid the False Calories.
Both Soda's and fruit juices are loaded with calories that are
simple carbohydrates. These trigger insulin production and hunger
and are pretty much "empty calories," drink water or herbal teas
instead.
Eat lots of Fibre.
Fibre is great for helping you feel full as well as helping to
cleanse your digestive track. The natural cleansing helps improve
both your energy levels and food absorption.
No more Salt.
Go easy on salt. The more salted food you eat, the more you want,
the more you eat the more water your body has to store in order to
balance your fluids.
Sauces are Calories.
Read the labels and watch out for these hidden calories, just look
at the ketchup bottle.
Set Goals.
Set a new goal before you reach the old one. Goals move you forward.
Having no goals moves you backward.
Cope with Stress.
When you're under stress, you may want to eat. Break the stress
cycle with exercise and a hot bath.
Cut down the Caffeine.
Avoid excessive amounts of caffeine-filled beverages. They may be
bad for your blood pressure; they may also make you nervous, and
many people eat more when they get the jitters.
Time is on Your Side.
It has taken a long time for you to become the weight you are. It
will take less time to get back to the weight that you want, as long
as you want it to happen. Don't set unrealistic goals, i.e. losing 4
pounds in 4 weeks for a spring holiday, aim instead to lose that 4
stones for the New Year that you are going to spend with family that
won't recognize the new you.
Remember that it is you that is aiming to lose the weight, but get
the support of those you love and that love you.
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