Diets That Work

Want to find some diets that work? How about the Dr. Laura way? Eat more, move less.

Sounds easy, doesn't it? But 80 million people will spend 30 million dollars on diets. Dieting is quite the industry. Everyone is looking for that magic bullet. But there is none. There are, unfortunately, no diets that work fast. So quit wasting your time looking for those crash diets that work.

The best thing to do is to take a sensible, long term approach. And take into account your lifestyle and your personality. Don't set yourself up for failure. If you don't like to cook then don't assume you will be able to take on cooking gourmet diet meals. If you don't like running then don't sign up for the next marathon.

It's true, reduce your food intake and increase your movement and those pounds will start to drop. But in order to be successful you have to look at it as a complete lifestyle change. And don't be too strict with yourself. That's like setting yourself up for failure.

Remember old habits die hard and new ones come slowly. Don't put yourself on some strict eating regimen. The moment you make a food forbidden is the moment you start wanting it.

Incorporate techniques instead:

1. Never skip a meal and always, always eat breakfast.

2. No more diet drinks, sugar free desserts or low fat products...your body craves real food...and your body will stay hungry until it gets what it's craving.

3. Watch your portion size! Eat real butter, but just a bit. If you are going to have a cookie, have that cookie, but just one. And preferably homemade.

4. Drink at least 8 glasses of water a day. Sometimes we think we are hungry when we are really just thirsty. And replace soda with water or tea. Only allow yourself a soda as an occasional treat and then drink the real thing.

5. Stock healthy sacks at home and in your purse and in your car.

6. Don't let yourself become starving hungry. That's when you will eat anything and everything. And if you're not prepared with healthy snacks then you will be at the whim of whatever is out there and you will succumb to something you will later regret.

7. Limit the processed foods you eat. Eat real foods 90% of the time.

8. Let yourself have treats once in awhile. But make sure they are really good, really what you want. And savour them.

9. Keep a well stocked fruit bowl on your kitchen counter.

10. Keep cut up veggies in your crisper drawer.

11. Go through your cupboards and get rid of those pre-packaged foods.

12. Always read labels and eat things with as few ingredients as possible. And don't eat things with ingredients you can not pronounce.

Follow these suggestions and you will be well on your way to the body you desire. And it you'd like additional help then look below, I've suggested some books which I believe to have good diet information.