Are other people making your diet fail?
Diet and weight loss programs are notoriously hard to stick to. For many people starting and successfully completing a diet is one of the toughest things to do. It is also one of the most rewarding.
In this article I want to make you aware of something that can have a huge affect on you losing weight. And believe it or not it's nothing to do with which diet you take or whether or not you exercise. Instead I want to focus on how other people can stop you from losing weight.
You can be made of mentally strong stuff. You might have stuck at a diet and exercise program without a blip for weeks. And then, out of the blue, you're invited to a meal with friends or maybe a work lunch. You know you're going to have to eat out and you start to get a little nervous. Sticking to your diet at home is fine because you are in control. You have picked the food in your cupboards and fridge.
Weight loss and eating out
Eating out is a whole different story. You're friends, family or work colleagues may be eating the fattiest and most unhealthy meals on the menu and you feel tempted. You're only human after all.
So what can you eat without destroying your diet? Well firstly the odd blip here and there is fine. You should have at least one meal a week that is your favourite food no matter how unhealthy (within reason) so that you can reward yourself for eating healthily all week. However this is not always possible. Sometimes, because of work or whatever, you have to eat out regularly and there is a menu in front of you full of goodies, and people around you egging you on to "get the ribs" or some other unhealthy dish.
Let people know about your new diet
Firstly in this situation it is vitally important that people know you are on a diet program. If they know this, and you are intent on losing weight, they are much less likely to try to encourage you to eat something that will get you off track. So be honest and up front from the start explaining that you are in the process of shedding a few pounds and want to stick to it. If they are genuine people they will be impressed by your strength of mind
Secondly when picking from the menu you need it's best to pick something that is made up of mostly salads, vegetables or fruits. Ok, it won't taste as nice as the steaks and other feasts but it will allow you to stay on track and eat the healthiest things on the menu.
The problem with eating out is that even if the meals that could usually be quite healthy, like a chicken salad, can often be full of fat. Especially if there is a ton of dressing on it. So it's best to order something that has no dressing and preferably no meat. Often restaurants fry the meat for speed and this is what makes the food so tasty but unfortunately also so unhealthy.
Raw vegetables are always a good bet because they help you burn fat by boosting your metabolism. So any raw vegetable dish without a dressing will keep you sticking to a healthy diet.
Control at the 'all you can eat' buffet
Another thing to do is to use control if there is a buffet cart there. It is important that when you lose weight you concentrate on eating regular, small sized meals throughout the day. A buffet cart can easily cause problems because it is so tempting to go back for seconds and then thirds.
Check the amount of food you are going to eat before you take that bite! If you think that the food provided to you exceed the portion control limit you are allowed, eat according to your portion limit and then carry the leftovers back home to be eaten on the next day. Ask for a box from the restaurant to help you carry the leftovers.
Avoid fizzy drinks
Drink water or pure fruit juice with your meal. Alcohol or fizzy drinks are packed full of calories and even if you had a salad, and three fizzy drinks the fizzy drinks calorie count will make your meal an unhealthy one with regards to your goals.
I need to reiterate the point that it is fine to eat out now and again and is encouraged. However be sure that if this is a regular occurrence you exercise caution or you could find yourself being more and more impartial to the fatty foods that you have worked so hard to avoid. All it takes is a few meals for you to want to get off your diet and back onto your old program of unhealthy foods and fats.
Stick to your program. Your health and future may depend on it!
Courtesy of Gary Miller
Gary Miller has dedicated his life to helping people around the world combat weight loss and fitness problems. His research has led him to finding one proven weight loss program that is being used with great effect across the world. To get a trial of it, and lose weight without any diet or fitness plan visit www.excellentwaytoloseweigh.com
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