Top 5 Dieting Mistakes

What are the top 5 dieting mistakes that people make while trying to lose weight?

1. You think that “dieting” is just temporary.  Temporary?  I don’t think I’ve ever heard of anyone who wants to lose weight and then gain it back.  The diet you use may be temporary to get you started on the right foot, but losing weight is for forever.  You need to focus on changing your lifestyle to a healthier one for the long haul.  The sooner you develop the right mindset, the better.
2. You are trying to lose weight while another big life change is going on.  Losing weight is not easy, and to be successful, you need to be able to focus 100% on your efforts.  Do not try to start losing weight if you are going through a divorce, starting a new job, trying to quit smoking, in the process of moving, etc.  You will be too distracted by these other important factors to give losing weight your all. 
3. You don’t allow yourself the occassional favorite food.  This will definitely backfire.  Yes, the food may be completely unhealthy and definitely not on your “diet menu”.  But, if you deny yourself  something, you will just end up overindulging on it at some point.  Instead of that food being forbidden, allow yourself to have it every now and then in a small amount.  For instance, if you absolutely love McDonald’s cheeseburgers, then allow yourself one cheeseburger on a certain day each week or every 2 weeks.  This way you know when you will get to eat it, and it will help you get through the tough days knowing that “in just 2 days, I get to have a McDonald’s cheeseburger”. 
4. You cut way back on calories or cut out meals.  Please don’t do this-it will not work!  You may lose weight right away, but it will not last.  And, you can actually end up gaining weight by doing this, because your body will go into “starvation mode”, because it isn’t getting enough calories.  You will also feel absolutely miserable!  Your body needs food to function properly!!  Do not eat any less than about 1200 calories a day, and eat about 4-5 smaller meals each day.
5. You don’t drink enough water.  Drinking plenty of water will help fill you up and help curb your hunger!  Ditch the empty calorie drinks such as sodas (including diet), lattes, cappucinos, lemonade,  etc.  Drinking these types of drinks on a regular basis will make you gain weight.  They are also full of calories and have no nutritional benefits.  It is okay to drink milk (only skim, of course) or orange juice with your breakfast, and maybe a glass of 100% juice (vegetable/fruit juice blend is good) with your lunch.  The rest of the time drink water.  Drink water between meals, and drink water with dinner.  This will make a difference!!

If you are making any of these mistakes right now, don’t worry, just change!  Correcting these dieting mistakes will help you lose weight.