Help! How Do I Stick to My Diet?

Ok, you know you need to be on a diet - I mean you really know you need to be on a diet, but this is about the 50th time this year you've started and you just can't stick to it.   What can you do to stick to your diet, get the weight off and keep it off?

Dieting can be tricky, even for the most disciplined of us and sticking to a diet can take all the willpower you have.    So it's best not to go on a diet.   It's much better by far to make small but healthy changes to your diet and lifestyle that will accomplish the same thing - and make you healthier in the process.

One of the main reasons we grab junk food is not because we really “need” it or that we are necessarily hungry it’s because our blood sugar is low and our body knows that carbohydrates (sugars) will do a quick job of restoring our levels.   So we crave carbohydrates and we grab the most convenient thing available and that's usually not all that healthy.

So rather than waiting for your blood sugar to crash and the resulting cravings to begin, start eating a healthy snack every 2 hours.   Apples, Carrots, broccoli, etc., will do the trick.    Yes, I realize this sounds difficult, and at first it probably is.    But this is the healthy way to maintain your body and your weight - and after all this is about being healthy.

Then, the next time you are tempted to eat something not-so-good-for-you, remind yourself that you're really not hungry, your brain is just telling you that your blood sugar is a little low and you should eat a carrot or half an apple.

Cut out soft drinks and sweets (it’s okay to have occasional treats).  Try eating more fiber.     A healthy diet requires 30 to 35 grams of fiber a day.   Change your bread choice to 100% whole wheat bread - double fiber if you can find it.   These small changes will make a huge difference.

Then get moving.    Exercise.   Run if you can, or take part in a club sport, ride a bike, join a team or health club.   Anything that will get you moving.   Exercise will do a lot to burn off those calories, but more than that, it will boost your metabolism for the next 12 to 24 hours after.

You goal should be to make small changes to your diet that are healthy and that you can live with for the rest of your life.   If you diet simply to lose weight, chances are you will be in the same predicament this time next year.   And make sure those around you (including your family) know about your plan to eat a healthy diet so they can encourage you and support your efforts.

Check here for a list of quick and easy things you can do to lose weight, and for a plan to jump start your metabolism, check out the Idiot Proof Diet.

Comments

No comments yet.

Leave a comment