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There are few things more horrible than trying but failing to lose weight. Self esteem goes out the window, you feel deprived when you are on your regime and like a failure when you give in to cravings. Dieting can be a vicious circle and many studies have found that more dieters gain weight then lose it. However all is not lost, here are a few tips to keep you on track and losing weight.

Keep a food and mood journal

Write down everything you eat and at what times you eat them and add up the calories every day. This will give you a clear picture of where you’re doing well and where you can make changes. This will also highlight any emotional eating.

Have a sensible diet plan

Cleansing and fasting can be a fantastic detox and even a great jumpstart to weightloss,  but it is no way to live longterm. Starvation leads to feelings of deprivation which lead to binges. Be real about what you can and can’t do and work around that. Attempting to lose a stone in a week can be a great way of putting on half a stone. Eat lots of fresh fruit and veg, cut out junk food and do moderate regular exercise, it is better to build up slowly then to start off with a regime that is too intense for you and gradually fall off the wagon.

Be honest with yourself

Get real on every level, if you can’t live without cream cakes allow yourself 1 every once in a while don’t pretend you will never eat them again. Be honest about how many calories you consume count everything and write everything down, you need to be your own best friend while dieting there is no room for sweeping things under the carpet.

Love yourself

The most important factor in any life change. Lose weight because you are fantastic and you deserve to, not because you hate yourself and can’t cope any more. Practice positive affirmations, and visualise yourself happy, eating well, and exercising. All people are capable of fantastic things you are no exception, have fun, enjoy yourself and be kind to yourself, dieting is hard enough without having to be at odds with yourself.

Celebrate the good times

Most dieters beat themselves up whenever they eat the wrong thing or miss an exercise class or put on a pound or two, but never say a big well done when they are on track. Mentally thank yourself and cheer when you make good food choices, give yourself a pat on the back when you have had a good day and give yourself non food rewards like a massage or a new pair of shoes when you lose weight.

Be Patient

Many a perfectly good diet has been quit two weeks in or less because the dieter hasn’t lost half their body weight. The fact is it took you a while to gain weight and it will take a while to lose it. To be sucessful you have to be in it for the long run.

Keeping weight off longterm is about making consistent changes in your choices around food…forever, this is not an overnight process, but it does work. So take your time.

Filed under: Fitness

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