When it comes to dieting, far too many people set themselves up for failure before they even begin the process. They literally dread going on their diets and before they start the process are planning their mishaps along the way. Sad to say but true, far too many would be dieters are planning their first Rocky Road mishap while eating their last bowl of Rocky Road before the big event.



I have no idea why we tend to do this to ourselves but it is something I see in dieters everywhere. The far too popular notion is that one must binge on the foods most loved and enjoyed before beginning the dieting process because these things must be completely eliminated in order to shed those unwanted pounds. If you are honest with yourself, nothing could be further from the truth. Moderation is simply a concept that many of us are loathe to embrace.

You must change your way of thinking about food and your personal enjoyment of food in order for any diet you embrace to be successful. Food isn't the enemy. And that is something that not enough people really understand. Even the 'bad' foods aren't the enemy. The enemy is inability to eat proper portion sizes and the vast majority of you eat the wrong foods far more often than we eat the right foods.

Portion control is a big problem in the US. We live in a society of "up selling". Super sized fries and empty calories by the gallon in your favorite cola are offered with almost every fast food meal that can be bought. You can still make healthy fast food choices, but you have to watch your portion sizes, and make informed choices when you order.

To be "successful" on a diet, you really need to make it way of life, instead of a "diet", which conotates a short term solution. This short term solution thinking is what leads to yo-yo dieting. You lose eat right and exercise for a while, then when you get to the weight you want to be you go back to your old habits, and gain the weight back.

Don't make your diet so rigid that you abstain from all your favorite foods. Depriving yourself will only make you "break the rules" of your diet. This kind of deprivation diet will also lead you to not get back on the program as quickly. It is recommended to incorporate "cheat" meals into your diet. These are planned meals or treats that are not as healthy as you could eat. You can add more cheat meals in the beginning of your lifestyle change and as you get more used to choosing healthier options you can decrease your "cheats". Don't ever completely take them out of your diet, because it's good to have enjoyable foods and fun times with your friends involving food.

Dieting for weight loss and health is only depriving if you allow it to be. If you have difficulty with overindulging having planned "cheats" can help you stick with a new lifestyle plan. Learning to incorporate treats, even smart fast food choices, into your routine in moderation should help you find happiness with a new lifestyle of healthier eating and exercise.