Here are 10 tips to help you fulfill your diet dreams:
1. Have a vision of success. Visualize yourself at an upcoming celebration in a fabulous little black dress. Then, apply that vision every day to help you stay motivated.
2. Remind yourself what's at stake. Tell yourself that your health is worth the extra effort.
3. Control your environment. Have healthy foods in the refrigerator so you're less likely to stop and grab something greasy on the way home from work.
4. Don't let yourself get too hungry. Include planned snacks in your routine to prevent overeating at meal time.
5. Know what makes you vulnerable to overeating. What tempts you? The office vending machine, a party or a social event. The key is to know where your problem areas are and have a plan for dealing with them.
6. Beware restaurant overeating. At restaurants, rich foods and supersized portions can sway even the most determined dieter. You don’t have to order an entrée each time you are out - order a dinner salad or appetizer instead of a main dish.
7. Plan indulgences. Rigid diets often fail - include treats each week without feeling guilty, like a piece of pie every Friday.
8. Forgive yourself. Did you over enjoy the holiday season? Indulge once in a while then get back on track. Don’t consider this a slip, admit your indulgence and move on.
9. Have a cheering section. Having to account to someone else gives you a reason to hang in there when you can't muster determination from within.
10. Remember that you have to keep working at it. You aren’t the only one putting in the hours to stay fit, most people who look good work at it, so keep up the pace and reap the benefits.
So when you want to give up on your diet, try these ideas instead. Be realistic, exercise regularly and stick to your diet goals.
