General Dieting Tips
Never Crash Diet
When you lose weight rapidly your body is typically only losing glycogen (carbohydrate) and water weight, not fat. Your body thinks that it’s starving and reduces its metabolic rate, which makes it harder for your body to burn each calorie. Then when you start eating normally again, your body stores as much food as it can into your fat cells in case of another “famine.”
Substitute Foods Instead of Eliminating Them
Although many people feel that “diet” or “reduced fat” foods are not as good as the original, it can be a big help to buy less fatty snack foods. Try out different reduced fat brands and items. The key is making sustainable changes.
Think About What you Drink
Cutting soda out of your diet completely can save the average person 360 calories or more each day. Even diet soda, fruit juices, and whole milk can add unnecessary calories to your daily intake. Instead, drink lots of water and switch from whole to skim or even soy milk; the little things can make a big difference.
Move Around
Getting up, moving around, and exercising will reduce the amount of food that you will need to cut back on.
Start Small
Gradually ease into your diet if possible. Remember that small changes are easier to stick with than drastic ones. Start by always leaving a little extra on your plate, or drinking water instead of soda.
Don’t Overeat
If you’re full, or even simply satisfied, stop eating. There’s no need to eat until your stomach feels like it’s going to explode.
Try Not to Banish Certain Foods
Don’t tell yourself that you can NEVER have something again because you will immediately crave it. Try to get yourself to think, “I know I CAN have it, but should I have it?”
Be In It For the Long Term
Focus on realistic, acheivable goals - behavior modification that you can live with for years, instead of just weeks.
Reference - The Diet Channel
Useful links - Exercise and Health, 5 Steps to a healthier heart, 6 Secrets of successful weight loss maintenance.
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