5 Things To Do Before You Start A New Diet
If you prepare your mind and body for what’s to come then you will be setting yourself up for a much more successful attempt at loosing those unwanted pounds. This is a key factor that MOST dieters do not even think about or consider as an option. Just as an athlete prepares for an event, an astronaut prepares for a flight or a musician prepares for a concert – you should prepare for the battle that is your diet. Preparation is a major factor for any successful endeavor.
So here are the tips that will lay the groundwork for that life changing weight-reduction plan.
1. Clear Out Those Cookie Trays, Cakes, Pies, etc. & Clean Out The Refrigerator!
Freeze them, give them away, even through them out if you have to – just GET THEM OUT OF YOUR HOUSE! You must banish ALL temptation. Sticking with your new diet will be a battle of the mind even more than the body. Since the battle will be fought mostly in your head you will break your diet more often with a thought than with a mouthful. If you are restricting certain foods then why would you even have them around you? Makes sense doesn’t it?
2. About 2 Weeks Before You Start Your Diet – Increase Your Water Intake.
Add about 8 glasses of fresh water to your daily intake. Increasing your water consumption will clean and flush your bowel and your cells and make sure that they are working properly. A good working bowel will insure proper elimination and help with your weight loss. Watch for mood changes and constipation caused by your new diet. If either one (or both) occur then you should increase your water intake even more.
3. Keep Your Head In The Game.
Start a diet journal and write down your goals and timetables. Use visuals such as picturing how you looked when you were in better shape and thinner or how you would look winning a marathon. Also be sure to keep track of your stats. Whether they’re up or down, good or bad you will benefit from knowing where you are and what you need to adjust if necessary. Lastly, post some notes around the house with your goals listed on them so that you can be reminded constantly about where you are headed. (Be sure to include the refrigerator and any cabinets where food can be found.)
4. Cut Down On Caffeine.
Caffeine puts a lot of pressure on all of your body’s systems. Since you are asking your body to concentrate on and go through the stress and rigors of dieting, give it a break and don’t ask it to put up with caffeine too. Try your hardest to go without coffee, black tea and any type of soda that is high in caffeine content. If you suffer withdrawal you must wean yourself off the caffeine down to a level that is as low as possible.
5. Get Started With A Light & Easy Exercise Program.
You should start about a week or 2 before you start your diet and keep it gentle. Do not start a hard and heavy exercise regimen at the same time that you are getting started on your diet. Save joining a gym or begining a new strenuous exercising routine. If you are already exercising then you should just continue what you are doing.
Now You Are Well Prepared To Lose That Weight
]]>
Start following these tips about 2 weeks before you begin your new diet program and you will be giving yourself a huge boost towards achieving your weight loss goals. Diets usually fail due to lack of preparation, failure to be truly committed and over reaching goals. You should try to keep your goals within reason and give yourself a break if you cheat. Keep your diet healthy by losing weight slowly and changing your lifestyle to a much more healthy relationship with food. Healthy weight loss is characterized by losing about one-half to two pounds a week, according to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans.
Remember:
Before starting any weight-loss or exercise program, one should consult with a doctor to ensure safety, especially if any health problems are present.
It’s Time To Get Started!
Now that you have prepared yourself for your diet you need to make some decisions about what type of plan you want to follow. Many people buy into “fad diets” not realizing that the diet is really teaching them to buy the company’s food, system or product and not teaching them how to buy healthy food at the grocery store. There are many good diet plans and systems out there so choose wisely when deciding what will work best for you!
The true way to successful weight loss is to find a method that fits your personality and lifestyle. “Different strokes for different folks.” Some people are successful with “Weight Watchers” and some are not. Some people are successful with “Jenny Craig” and some are not. Some people are successful with Low Carb Diets and some are not. If, for example, you know that you can’t afford or won’t keep up with buying the Jenny Craig meals then you obviously shouldn’t go with the Jenny Craig plan. You must find what works for you and you’ll lose that weight and look how you want to look.
Let’s Use Some Math – BMI And Other Factors
An important thing to do as you get started on your journey to a healthy lifestyle is to use a simple mathematical equation to calculate your “Body Mass Index” or BMI. Body Mass Index is a statistical measurement which compares a person’s weight and height. Finding this number will allow you to figure out the proper amount of calories to consume in order to lose and control your weight.
Go to this link – www.mypyramid.gov - and you will find a calculator that will give you your BMI PLUS the proper amount of calories you need. By taking into account your age, height, weight and activity level this calculator gives you the amount of calories you should take in for where you are now. All that you need to do then is adjust down from there to start losing weight. The website also will project the amount of food you should eat from each food group, offers a food tracker that will make you more aware of the food you consume and tracks what you consume for up to a year. It is important to remember, that you’re not going to lose any weight unless you’re consuming the right amount of calories in all the food group categories. It’s a great tool so give it a try!
In addition to being aware of what you’re putting into your body you must also pay attention to portion sizes.It is not only a matter of what you eat but also how much of it you eat! Just because something is a healthy choice doesn’t mean that unlimited quantities are in order. Control your portions!
Healthy eating habits are very important but as stated earlier in this article it is very important to drink enough water on a daily basis. Water is necessary for your body to digest and absorb vitamins and nutrients. It also detoxifies the liver and kidneys, and carries away waste from the body. Not drinking enough water will make you feel lethargic and generate headaches, muscle aches and cramps.
Water is also a natural appetite suppressant, so developing a good water drinking habit can be a long-term aid in achieving and maintaining a healthy weight. Most times, hunger is the body asking for water, not food. Your body cannot distinguish between dehydration and hunger so you will feel less fatigued and hungry if you consume the standard 8 to 12 glasses of water a day.
So by not falling for fad diets, being conscious of portion sizes, eating proportionally from the different food groups and consuming enough water you will have enough balance and control in your diet to lose weight and feel healthier as a result.
If you are considering Low Carb dieting, or want to investigate that option, here are some great tools to help get you started.
Visit LowCarbLowdown.com Now to get information and other resources for Low Carb diets like Atkins, South Beach, Etc. You’ll find professional diet information, FREE recipes, background, nutrition, research, support forums, tools and MUCH MORE.
ALSO
Get Started NOW On Your Way To Weight Loss And Better Health! Follow this system and be sure to reach your goals! Rotate “Carbs” for Rapid Fat Loss!
The Carb Rotation Diet.com – Click Here NOW!
Related posts:
- Five Steps to Start Losing Weight with Diet to Go
- Simple Steps to Start Losing Weight with Diets to Go
- How to Start Your Weight Loss Diet Plan
- If You Want To Start Fitness Model Training, Ask Yourself This
- Diet Fitness Program-learn The Best Ways To Lose Weight Now