Set Realistic Goals for Diet Success
One of the strongest predictors of long-term diet success lies in setting the right goal at the start. If you set unattainable goals, such as losing 30 pounds in just a few months, you're setting yourself up to fail. So, setting smaller, attainable benchmarks, like losing 5 pounds or a single dress size, will give you the confidence to continue.
Go Slow
Diet success entails making real lifestyle changes, and that does not happen overnight. People who are starving get irritable and have a higher failure rate. If you cut back 200 calories a day, you will not even realize it and the weight will come off and stay off. If you keep in mind that optimal weight loss is 1 to 2 pounds a week, you will be less frustrated
Expect Setbacks
Everyone is bound to give in to temptation from time to time. The danger is not a single splurge but letting it become an excuse for an all-out binge.
Do not Be a Perfectionist
So what do you do if you have scarfed down a pint of ice cream before noon? Bottom line when you slip up : forget about it and think that tomorrow is a new healthier day.
Use the Buddy System
Finding other people with similar goals can greatly improve yours odds of diet success. Having a support group to turn to, whether it is your family or people in a weight-loss chat room, can make all the difference for diet success.
Be Patient
One of the biggest diet motivation-busters is the dreaded weight loss plateau. You have been doing everything right, exercising and eating well, and the numbers on the scale have been steadily dropping. Then suddenly, the scale stays stuck for several days in a row. Turn it around and congratulate yourself on the diet success you've had so far. This is a natural part of the weight loss process. When you hit the plateau, you may want to try something slightly different to jump-start your diet. Commit yourself to expending an extra 100 calories a day with walking, for instance. And look honestly to see if you are backsliding in little ways with your eating. A few minor adjustments and you will soon be back on course.
Reward Yourself
Dieting is hard work and it is not always a whole lot of fun. Small rewards can provide an incentive to keep going. But make sure your rewards are not food-related.
Have a Maintenance Plan
For many people, losing weight is far easier than keeping it off. It is important to remember that healthy eating is a lifelong goal, not a one-time project. You may want to consult an expert to help create a diet or exercise plan that works for you. An expert can help you get off on the right foot and maintain your healthy habits even after you have reached your ideal weight.
Source : WebMD Reference
