When it comes to dieting, it's the small things that make all the difference. Instead of crash dieting, reduce the size of your portions. By cutting a few hundred calories from your diet every day, you can lose up to a pound a week. A single pound equals 3,500 calories, so cut 500 calories a day and you should be losing 1 lb. every seven days. Look to make permanent changes you can live with for the long-term.
Make It Easy on Yourself
Whether you want to follow a specific diet or just want to reduce your overall calorie intake, try to keep it simple. If you have to count calories, fats or carbs for every single thing you eat, chances are this is not a diet you can keep up in the long run. Having to count and keep track of everything you eat also makes it difficult to eat out or on the go. Instead, choose a simple plan that is based in either portion sizes or simple rules, like reducing the amount of fat and sugars you consume.
Keep Track of Your Plan
Start a food diary before you go on a diet plan. Do it for a week or two, so you can then go over it and analyze what's working and what isn't. Look at times when you overeat, and see if they're related to emotions such as stress, sadness or anger. If they are, look for ways to deal with those emotions that don't involve food. For example, you could go for a walk with friends or treat yourself to a manicure. As you start your diet, continue with your food diary. Write down what you eat, how much, the time of day and where you are when you eat. This will help you identify patterns, such as "I always eat dessert when I'm with friends," so you can change them.
Shop Smart
If you want to stick to a diet, keep the right foods around. Don't buy chips, candy and chocolate bars. If they're in the house, you're likely to eat them at some point. Instead, stock up on healthy foods such as low-fat pretzels, plain popcorn, nuts and dried fruits without added sugar. Buy lots of fruits and vegetables, as well as lean proteins. Water, seltzer water and flavored diet drinks are your best choices when trying to lose weight.
Member Comments