Ditch the Diet Choose a Lifestyle

The top reason why diets fail those who try them is because the diet program is not something that the dieter can live with over the long haul. Remember, a diet is what you do eat, not what you don’t! If you choose a diet that does not include the things you enjoy, sooner or later you will not be on that diet anymore, and whatever benefit it gave you, will no longer benefit once you stop dieting. If however you choose a diet that you can live with instead, a lifestyle diet, a diet that has foods you enjoy incorporated into it, then most likely you can succeed. The main thing is to know what you are eating, what you should be eating, then plan to stay away from unhealthy foods and additives that will not fit in with your "New Life Style" this may incorporate more than one of the current "Diet Plans." Plus remember exercise is a part of a healthy diet and 30 minutes a day goes by fast when you cleaning your home.(Wash the floor, dust the drapes, up and down, etc).

Many choose a “Portion Control” diet because they can eat what they enjoy just 1/2 of the portion they did. Eating smaller increments causing them to loose weight slowly, which is preferable than the crash loss and gain roller coaster effect some diets have. A Life Style diet decision will work for you as long as you have an understanding of what a basic “healthy diet” needs to include. You still need to nourish your body and your Life Style Diet needs to include the essential elements of good nutrition in your diet plan.

Whether it is hot or cold these easy healthy snacks will hit the spot to stave off binge eating: Dried Fruit Raisins, berries, cranberries, blueberries, raspberries, prunes, trail mix, pretzels, crackers with cheese or peanut butter, bananas with or without peanut butter, dry cereal (Cheerios, Shredded wheat), and yogurt

The NU IMAGE magazine, Summer 2006 Edition, had an interesting article written by Kelly James-Enger giving advise to dieters thus: “If you want to lose weight, first forget the idea that there is some magic plan, portion or pill that will work overnight. "Sounds like a Life Style Diet to me, what about you?"

“Commit to fueling your body and feeding it what it needs rather than trying to starve yourself or limit the amounts or types of foods. Thinking of all foods as equal helps you ditch the diet mindset, and for good reason. If you always think of yourself as being ‘on’ or ‘off’ a diet, you’ll probably struggle with food for the rest of your life, but when you let go of the dieting mentality, you may find that you enjoy your workouts more as well.”

The plan:

Lighten up - splurge once in awhile.

Work it off - you splurged, work it off.

Think Long Term - follow your usual eating routine.

Use your experience - find out why you are tempted.

A University of Mass. Medical School Study states:

“The Spring & Summer are the best time to loose weight.” Just drinking ice cold water helps. In order to process the water your body must raise the temperature of the water to use it and you burn calories. Eating a salad before your meal will make you less hungry. In the Spring & Summer, try eating 100 calories less per day.

The Fall & Winter is when people usually gain weight. Be careful about the “saturated fats you are eating.” Their suggestion is that In the Fall & Winter try using “Portion control” to help control your urge to over eat. Eat ½ of what is served.

Here are some other healthy substitutes you can try:

2 whole-wheat waffles with blueberries for regular

Espresso with two biscotti for coffee & donuts

3 cups strawberries for midday snack

3 slices whole-wheat toast for regular white

5 cups plain popcorn for buttered popcorn

Chicken soup and apple for sandwich at lunch

1 Tbsp. vinegar & milk to equal 1 cup for 1-cup buttermilk

2 Tbsp. All purpose flour for 1-cup cake flour

Banana to replace egg in cake mix

3 Tbsp unsweetened coca powder & 1 tbsp butter for 1 sq unsweetened chocolate

2 Tbsp. Molasses & 1-cup sugar for 1 cup firmly packed brown sugar

¼-tsp. White vinegar for 1-tsp. Lemon juice.

1 Tbsp. Cornstarch for 2 Tbsp thickening flour

3/4-cup tomato paste & 1 cup water for 2 cups tomato sauce

Some Current Diet Programs:

Calorie Counting

Weight Watchers

3 Hour Diet

6 Day Body Make Over

Dr. Zone Diet

High Fiber

Allergy Healing Diet

Aromatherapy Diet

Vegetarian Diet

Low Fat

Jenny Craig

GI Diet

Low Sugar Diet

Low Carbohydrates

Curves Diet

Atkins Diet

South Beach Diet

Hampton Diet

Scarsdale Diet

NutriSystem Diet

Portion Control

The Step Diet

Sonoma Diet

The French Woman’s Diet

8 Minute Workout

Other Known Diets Methods:

My Pyramid Diet

Blood Type Diet

Green Tea Diet

ADHD Diet

Juicing for Health

Acai Berry Diet

Banana Diet

Honey Diet

Gluten Free Diet

Mediterranean Diet

Get with the Program

It has been suggested a good diet includes drinking hot tea, low or non-calorie drinks instead of your favorite high calorie drink at least on one meal a day.

Here is a list of the various teas Courtesy of Good Food Magazine to help you choose the best tea for your menu.

Darjeeling: Fine flavor and rich bouquet make this black tea from the mountains of India an elegant after-dinner beverage.

Earl Grey: Perfect to sip with a mid-afternoon treat of teacakes, scones and bite sized cucumber sandwiches. Serve with milk and sugar.

English Breakfast: A lively and refreshing blend of Indian teas. This tea is delicious with lemon the first thing in the morning.

Herbal: Caffeine-free, chamomile, peppermint, rose hip, ginseng, and citrus packaged blends are soothing anytime. Just be careful not to seep more than 5 minutes; too long and they become bitter.

Jasmine: A fragrant blend of Chinese Black and green teas, flavored with Jasmine blossoms. This tea makes an ideal accompaniment for a spicy meal.

Lap sang Souchong: Whether you prefer weak or strong tea, this smoky flavored Chinese tea is hearty enough for a brisk winter evening. Best plain or if you prefer, serve with milk.

Orange Pekoe: This smooth, delicately flavored Indian tea is an ever-popular lunchtime soother. Serve with lemon slices.