Successful Dieting
Don't starve yourself
If you are hungry - eat!
It sounds simple, but there are a hundred and one reasons your body may need food. You may be ill, lacking in certain vitamins, pregnant, tired, etc.
If your body tells you to eat, then don't ignore it. But don't use it as an excuse. You need to stay healthy and not to starve yourself.
Give yourself a break
Take a break every now and again. You need it. And it feels good.
For example, when you are on holiday, go back to eating enough calories to maintain your weight. It can feel odd, as your body is used to less calories, but it makes you feel like you have had a break.
Everything is about moderation and sustainability. It is a long term commitment, and you need to enjoy yourself too.
Vary your diet
By this, I am talking about the type of food that you eat. Your body needs different nutrients and vitamins too. Eat a varied amount of meat, fruit, vegetables, carbohydrates, etc.
Carbonated Drinks
We are all guilty. I like coke, lemonade, and other carbonated drinks.
But, do you realize that the "diet" versions of these drinks contain hardly any calories or sugars? I didn't at first.
You can seriously have loads of diet coke or diet lemonade without it being too bad for you.
Exercise
It sounds daft, but it does help as it burns off calories. I am a busy person, and I don't want to spend an hour down the gym (I also know that I couldn't keep it up).
But I do love going for walks with my wife (quality time!), or gardening, or power walking to the shops instead of driving, or....
You get the idea. All the little things add up. But the more effort you put into things, the more you will get out of it. Try turning off the TV for an hour a week, and do something around the house (even if its just vacuuming the floors), as it all burns off calories.
If you are up for it, join a sports club. Remember that your calorific baseline will change, but instead of eating enough calories to replace the energy you used up in your sport, try only replacing 75% of it.
Resources
I joined The Daily Plate to record how many calories I was eating per day.
Food Focus also has a free food diary, and looks like a good site to try.
Diet Chef is a great place if you aren't too good at cooking, or don't have the time. They can create meals to your calorific requirements, and will deliver them to your house. You can click on the ad at the top of this page to take you there as well.
Forum
Join our forum, where you can talk to other like minded people and get further ideas, hints, and tips from them.
Conclusion
Successful dieting is all about watching your calories, changing your diet, and a lifestyle choice. It doesn't mean you have to stop enjoying food. It means you are more aware of what you eat in terms of calories.
A successful diet needs to be sustainable. "Quick" fad diets don't last long, as people get bored of them, and go back to their old routine. The idea of a long-term dietary change is that your "new" routine becomes your "old" routine and it seems like normal.
Good luck, and I hope you manage to change your lifestyle and your diet like I have changed mine!
