A Guide for a Successful Spring Diet

We’ve all tried to lose those extra winter pounds every spring. Unfortunately for most of us, especially me, those diets either don’t work or I quickly gain most of that lost weight back in a short time. My weight loss chart can easily be confused with a chart showing stock market trends, a lot of ups and downs.

This isn’t another bleak weight loss article, though. As a matter of fact, this is actually a pretty positive one. About a month ago, as my girlfriend was skimming through the pages of some fitness magazines such as Natural Health Magazine and Shape Magazine, we came across a lot of different opinions and tips on weight loss. We decided to take an idea or two of each diet program and try it out. Here are some examples:

1. Set Realistic Goals – The first step should take place before you cut a single calorie. In fact, one of the strongest predictors of long-term success rests in setting the right goals in the beginning. If you set an unattainable goal of losing 10 pounds in just one week, you’re setting yourself up to fail cause it isn’t going to happen. Instead, try setting smaller, realistic benchmarks, like losing 5 pounds or a single clothing size. This will give you the confidence to continue.
2. Go Slow – Diet success entails making real lifestyle changes and that doesn’t happen overnight. You have a better chance at keeping the weight off if you lose it slowly. People who are starving get irritable and have a higher failure rate. Optimal weight loss is 1 to 2 pounds a week.
3. Expect Setbacks – Everyone is bound to give in to temptation from time to time. There is nothing wrong with going for an ice cream once and awhile. The danger is making excuses to visit the ice cream stand everyday.
4. Don’t Be a Perfectionist – So what do you do if you’ve slipped up and ate a big chocolate brownie? There is nothing wrong with a little indulgence here and there. However, if it’s perceived as a failure and a reason to give up, it can turn into an even bigger calorie indulgence. The bottom line is when you slip up, forget about it. Tomorrow is a new day.
5. Use the Buddy System – It’s hard to make major lifestyle changes alone. Finding other people with similar goals can greatly improve yours odds of diet success. When your willpower starts to wane, have people to call on to provide the support you need to continue. Having that support group, whether it’s your family or people in a weight loss chat room, can be a big positive influence.
6. Be Patient – One of the biggest diet motivation killers is the weight loss plateau. You’ve done everything right. You’ve exercised and ate well, and the numbers on the scale steadily dropped. Then out of nowhere: Nothing. The scale stays stuck for several days in a row. According to experts, this is perfectly normal. It’s a natural part of the weight loss process. You may want to try something slightly different to jump-start your diet. A few minor adjustments and you’ll be back on course.
7. Reward Yourself – Dieting is hard work, and it’s not always fun. Small rewards can provide an incentive to keep going. Be sure your rewards are not food-related. Set mini-goals along the way and reward yourself when you reach them. Your reward could be a massage, a round of golf, a new pair of jeans, or a hot bubble bath.
8. Have a maintenance plan – For a lot of us, losing weight is far easier than keeping it off. It’s important to remember that healthy eating is a lifelong goal, not a one-time project. If this has been a problem for you in the past, devise a maintenance strategy ahead of time.

Guess what. It’s working! She has lost about 5lbs in three weeks while I lost a little over 8lbs. Mind you, I’m not claiming immediate success. Lasting weight loss is a slow process and it’s all too easy to give up before you reach your goal. With the right psychological tools your chances of diet success can be greatly improved.