Did Someone Say Diet? Just Say No (part 1)

If you or someone you know has resolved to lose weight this year, you’re not alone. One of the most common questions I hear is, "Which diet should I go on?" This is the wrong question to ask. Since dieting involves severe food restrictions over a short period of time, no diet is the right one.

A better question to ask is, "How can I lose weight and keep it off in the healthiest way possible?" Don’t waste time and energy making changes that you can’t imagine yourself following 1 year from now. If you do, you’ll become a "yo-yo" dieter, who loses weight, eventually goes back to regular eating, and invariably regains the weight, and maybe even more. This is not good for the body or mind.

To lose weight and keep it off, you must redefine what your "regular" way of eating is. Abandon the "diet" mindset. Successful, permanent weight loss follows permanent lifestyle changes, not diets. Attaining and maintaining a healthy weight for the rest of your life require dedication, patience, and know-how.

DEDICATION
Think long and hard about why you want to lose weight. Write down the benefits you will reap, and refer to it as a reminder to yourself to stick with your plan. Tell your friends and family about your new lifestyle and how important is to you. People who have successfully kept off lost weight have made their intentions known to others and enlisted their support. When the going gets tough, look at it as a challenge to overcome, where the rewards are priceless.

PATIENCE
Changing your body won’t happen overnight. Just as it took a long time to gain extra weight, it will take a long time to lose that weight. Like any new habit, it will become more natural over time. Keep in mind the big picture; if you find that you’re slipping away from your goals, forgive yourself, learn from your mistakes, and move on. For ideas and inspiration, talk to those who have had long-term success; read about health; taste new foods, try new activities. The process should be enjoyable, not painful.

KNOW-HOW
See Part 2 for tips you can use to plan your new lifestyle.

 

 

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