Dieting for the Non-Dieter

Welcome to DietersCookbook.com. We have meal plans, recipes and information about diets, dieting and weight loss to help you with your dieting needs.

Dieting isn’t easy, so make it as simple as possible so that you are more likely to follow it. Once you find a diet or a weight loss plan that you want to try, stick to it for a while. Don’t jump from one to the next and then to the next. Better yet, don’t think about a diet; think about a lifestyle change. Because that is what it’s going to take to succeed.

When you constantly think about your diet, day in and day out, it becomes too structured…too restricting. You can’t have this and you must eat that. It’s no wonder that most people who start on a diet can’t stay on it more than a week. Even saying the word, “diet,” can cause a strong man (or woman) to shudder. Isn’t it funny that one four letter word can have such a negative response for people?

If you are trying to lose weight, think about moderation first. If you’re used to eating whatever you want, whenever you want, try cutting down on portion sizes first. That way, you won’t be thinking of it as a “diet” but as a first step to healthy eating. By starting out with simple steps, you will have much better results than when you are feeling deprived. Take that first step, then take the next: only eating five or six times a day. And, keep those portion sizes smaller as you did in the first step.

Now that you are used to eating smaller portions and eating at regular times during the day, take a look at the types of food you are eating. Is it really nutritious or is it full of fat and sugar? Start substituting high-fat foods with healthier choices.

I’d be willing to bet that at this point you’re starting to lose weight. Yes! Already! Dieting can produce results. However, just thinking about portion sizes and the times during the day that you eat can help control your hunger. Sometimes it is helpful to write these things down.

Though keeping a food diary where you write down every single thing you can be helpful, it can also cause people to think, “I don’t have time for that!”. However, you CAN start writing a journal that will give you an idea of what triggers your need to eat. That need can be emotional for some people, while for others it may be some other trigger. Paying attention to when you are hungry…and why you think you are hungry…can help. Maybe you’re just thirsty. Or, maybe you’re feeling unhappy. Whatever the reason, you need to be able to pin it down, and realize that THAT is the reason you’re hungry, not because you really are hungry.

Think about how a diet program will affect your day to day life before you start one. Do you believe that you have the patience and mindset to keep on it for the amount of time that you need to start losing weight? That is one of the key factors in deciding whether to go on a diet plan, or if you just need to reduce the amount of food you eat. If it is too difficult to follow, you will end up giving up on it way before any progress has been made.

Exercise will also help you in your weight loss efforts. Start slow. Just like eating habits, the habit of exercise will take some time to get used to.

When you focus on lifestyle changes rather than a restrictive diet, you won’t feel as deprived of those foods you like. The result will be a more positive result - the end result - weight loss.