As anyone who has ever struggled with their weight knows, dieting can be one of the most difficult things to consistently do. With the temptation of delicious, but unhealthy, food all around and unrealistic diet systems that promise outrageous shedding of pounds in record time, successfully dieting can seem extremely daunting and nearly impossible. By taking a step back from the hype of the dieting world and doing some serious analyzing, perhaps dieting can become a rewarding process instead of a constant struggle.
Before beginning a diet, the first thing to do is to take an honest look at yourself. Absolutely avoid comparing yourself to the models you see in magazines or the actors on television. That sort of comparison is the fastest way to damage your self esteem and put a negative spin on your self perception. Think about the things you would like to change about your body. Maybe you gained weight when you had children and would like to lose a few pounds. Or perhaps you used to be very athletic but you’ve lost muscle tone and definition. Now consider what may have caused these unwanted changes in your physique. Did you at some point begin eating poorly? Did you stop regularly working out? Finding the source of a problem and correcting it will help you to achieve your goals.
Unless you were genetically blessed to be petite and thin, no diet will help you get there. Just because a certain type of diet has helped others that doesn’t mean that it’s right for you. Always be true to yourself and don’t be hard on yourself. Figure out what your body type is and focus on safe and healthy ways to improve it. As silly as it may sound, be nice to yourself. Viewing yourself in a more positive light will boost your self worth and it will take the spot light off of the negative aspects of your body.
Instead of diving into yet another fad diet, try making simple changes to your eating habits. Swap out unhealthy snacks and meals for more nutritious foods. Begin eating smaller portions, and I don’t mean begin starving yourself. Try not to eat in the few hours before you go to sleep each night. Start taking notice of why you’re eating. Are you truly hungry? Or are you just bored or emotional? Keeping a food diet will allow you to really see what you are putting in your body each day and can help you change your habits. Picking a day of the week when you can treat yourself will make you feel like you’re not deprived.
Everyone knows exercising is important, not just for your looks but also for your health. You don’t have to jump into an intense 90 day workout or hire a personal trainer. Take small steps. Taking a walk every evening before you begin winding down is a great way to start. If you aren’t a big fan of the gym, or it’s membership costs, there is a wealth of exercise videos on YouTube for free! Work your way up to the level of activity that best suits you and your needs.
One of the best things to keep in mind while dieting is to be patient. Making significant changes doesn’t happen over night. Find things, ideas, or people that motivate you to stick with it. There will be some days when you just don’t feel like cooking healthy or you don’t want to workout, but force yourself to do it anyway. Over time your actions will become habits and those habits will form your lifestyle. Leading that healthy lifestyle will give you long lasting results and an over all better quality of life.
