Weight Loss
Nine Tips to Promote Weight Loss
By
Sep 25, 2005, 01:06

(NUI) - Sticking to a diet is difficult. Temptations are everywhere. From fatty fast food to greasy potato chips to dairy-rich ice cream, it seems impossible to escape diet-breaking foods.

Thus, it's common for dieters to give up after just a few days or weeks.

Here are a few tips to help you stick to your diet and meet your goals.

* Decide on a realistic final weight and stay with it. If you set your goal too high, you will be disappointed with anything less than perfection. However, do not pick a goal that is too easily attainable or does not achieve the type of appearance or health benefits you seek.

* Keep a journal. Write down the foods you eat and the times you eat them throughout the day. After a few days, you will be able to see a pattern. For instance, you might find out that you tend to snack most often in the afternoon. Identifying the patterns in your food habits will help you conquer temptations.

* Eat slowly and enjoy your food thoroughly. By eating slowly, you can savor your food. This way, you'll eat your meal in your usual amount of time, but at the end, you will have eaten less food.

* Keep foods you are trying to avoid out of your house and workplace. It's easy to munch on snacks when they are easily

accessible. If you don't see them, you won't eat them.

* Don't starve yourself. If you do, you will want to eat too much later and, consequently, lose some of your progress. For the same reasons, don't deprive yourself too much. Once in a while, have a meal that consists of any food you want to eat.

* Substitute. Learn to enjoy healthier alternatives. Choose pretzels instead of candy, chips and cookies; frozen yogurt or fruit bars instead of ice cream; and Canadian bacon in place of regular bacon or sausage. Choose broiled or grilled foods instead of fried foods.

* Drink water. It will help keep you full. When you want variety, choose unsweetened herbal tea instead of alcoholic drinks and soda, which are loaded with calories.

* Don't get discouraged. If you break the rules, get back to your diet with the next meal.

* Get help. Speak with your doctor about various options available to you. Some people find supplements helpful. For instance, Sleep-N-Slim, a dietary supplement from Eurobotanicals (www.eurobotanicals.com) can help you lose weight by stimulating the pituitary gland, according to its manufacturer. It's taken before bed on an empty stomach and works while you sleep.

For more information, call 1-800-593-4701.

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