Stop Dieting and Start Living

One pound is equal to 3,500 calories. Decreasing your diet by 500 calories a day means you will lose one pound in a week. Sounds simple, right?

Diets are deceiving.  Majority of people believe once you have reached your goal weight you can stop the hassle of counting or measuring at each meal. While it is true you can slowly add more calories back into your diet, it is not the time to run back to your old habits.

Here are three big problems with diets:

  1. Some diets call for the removal of an entire food group. This can lead to a quicker regain once a person begins eating this food group again.
  2. Skipping meals or fasting during a diet will only slow down your metabolism.
  3. Many think when they reach their goal they can go back to their old habits.

You need to think of dieting as teaching you to create a new and healthy lifestyle.  No diet should exempt a food group or tell you to skip meals. This will only hurt you in the long run. You need to teach yourself how to eat better and still enjoy the foods you are eating. There is no harm in having a small dessert once a week, if it’s the correct portion.

You can still enjoy your favorite foods when you’re on a diet.

DAIRY PRODUCTS

Your favorite dairy products like milk, cheeses, and yogurt can be purchased in lower fat versions of themselves making them a great purchase for dieters.  Some products can be found with up to 50 percent less calories and fat than the original but the same great taste. Elaina Magee, MPH, RD, WebMD and WebMD Blogger for the” Recipe Doctor”, says “You can trim calories effortlessly if you use low-fat and lighter products and if the product is mixed in with other ingredients, no one will ever notice.”

WHOLE GRAINS

Pasta and breads are a go when dieting, if you choose the right ones. Whole grain food choices are full of fiber that fills you up and keeps you full longer. Be careful to watch out for add-ons such as butters, sauces and dressings that can add hidden calories!

FRUITS AND VEGETABLES

Load your kitchen with colorful fruits and vegetables. Perfect on a salad or bowl of cereal they fill you up without adding a lot of extra calories. Buy them fresh during peak seasons and frozen in the winter.

DESSERTS

Low fat or proportioned desserts are great for dieters. Certain brands of ice cream and cookies come in proportioned containers only carrying 100 to 200 calories. These are easy to grab and go with out the hassle of counting and measuring while still enjoying your favorite snacks.

Do not deprive yourself of any food group when trying to reach your magic number. It is possible to life a healthy, nutritious lifestyle while eating your favorite foods. Learn to look for key words such as low fat, fat free or low calorie.

Stop dieting and change your lifestyle.

Read this article so you can set yourself up for a successful weight loss program.


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