For Dieters Only! Dieting Mistakes to Avoid

Dieting News? Dieting Mistakes to Avoid

If you are determined to lose weight and live a healthier life, then you should know about some of the weight loss pitfalls people commonly make and avoid them. As you read the following 5 tips it may surprise you to find that you have made some of the same mistakes that others have made on their weight loss journey. The advice provided in this article has help people throughout the world be more successful in their weight loss journey and it will help you too!

1. Stop Eating Carbohydrates: This sort of fad diet concentrates on either the complete elimination or the momentary suspension of virtually all carbohydrates. This is a shock to your system and does not teach you that not all carbohydrates are bad for you. Keep in mind that you will have to balance out the pros and con's as you remember that there are practical alternatives to complete the removal of your favorite carbohydrates. Other fad diets to be aware of: High-fat, low-fat, low-carbohydrate, high-protein, liquid diets and fasting diets. All fads diets work for some people but not for everyone. It is important to find the right one for you.

2. Negative Attitude: A lot of people view a diet as their last chance for weight loss, and they completely exempt all their favorite foods from their diet. You should not have the mental focus on what foods you are giving up; look at what you will gain. Having a healthier, happier life is the goal here! Just because you do not allow yourself the foods that you find comfort in while you are on your way to your goal weight, does not mean you will never have the chance to get them again. Since you now are serious about weight loss, focus you efforts to cut out sugar products and junk food, but save room for a treat once in a while. There is a large variety of sugar free desserts (pudding, ice cream) that you can get to help meet that sweet tooth need. The goal here is that you will find certain aspects of your selected diet that you can permanently add to your new lifestyle.

Diet Tip: Keep a food diary long enough to monitor your food intake and identify what circumstances tempt you to overeat or eat unhealthily.

3. Pre Packaged Foods: Many weight loss programs will either require or persuade you to buy certain branded foods. You need to be conscious of these sales methods by the various manufacturers to push their products even though some of them may only have little nutritional value. Make sure you give close attention to the ingredients and caloric value. Make sure you are eating the right types of calories that your body needs. Often in calorie-restricted diets, there is an initial rapid weight loss during the first 1 to 2 weeks, but this can usually be attributed to loss of fluids. All diet programs should stress the important role that drinking plenty of water will play in your overall success of losing weight.

4. Exercise Free Diet: Moderate exercise (and eating right) causes your body to burn fat for fuel. Exercise will help control your weight by using excess calories that otherwise would be stored as fat. It will enable you to burn fat for energy and maintain a healthy weight. Exercise can become a lifelong habit if you pick an activity that you enjoy.

Health Tip: Recent research has shown that lack of exercise can shorten a person's life expectancy more than regular cigarette smoking does.

5. Calorie Estimations: There are various calorie charts listing the total calories burned during various physical activities on the internet. However, they are based on the calorie expenditure of a medium built person. If you are not of medium built and weight then these tables should be used as a general referral point only, because they overestimate the calorie expenditure of smaller people and underestimate the calorie expenditure for people bigger than average person. This is a common mistake and by talking with your health care provider you can avoid possible miscalculations and learn what the correct caloric intake you need for your particular situation. Calorie counting is an easy and effective form of dieting, and it will help you learn the nutritional value of the foods you eat and how much your body really needs.

Whether you create your own weight loss program or use a commercial one, make sure it is safe and healthy. A nourishing and safe diet program will allow you to have at least 1,200 calories a day and include 30 min. to one hour of exercise daily. Whatever your weight goals are, you need to stay on the right path to nutrition and wellness. A healthy form of diet should include all of the recommended daily allowances (RDAs) for vitamins, minerals, fiber, calcium and protein.

NOTE: Consult with your doctor before starting any diet or exercise program.
Regina enjoys writing on a variety of subjects and hopes that readers will be entertained by her distinct point of view.

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