Weight-related illness has become a major health problem across the United States, along with current rates of obesity and overweight. However, statistics show that moderate weight loss on a regular diet adds 5-8 pounds a year. So why do we find it so difficult to fast? According to a new survey (1) the answer seems to be: because we make 3 major mistakes. We don't have that much enthusiasm. We let ourselves go hungry. Nor can we survive the "bad days." A weight loss survey conducted by annecollins.com asked dieters to choose from three major dietary issues. The most common problems reported are: "Insufficient Weight Loss Stimulus" (76%); "Hunger" (72%); And "bad days" (70%). While these results may not come as a surprise to many dieters, they do highlight the importance of dietary stimulation. We look at how these problems arise, and what steps can be taken to overcome them. Why do we need encouragement? We gain weight because we use more energy than we actually use. Either we eat too many calories, or we burn too little, or both. So if we want to lose weight, we need to improve our diet and exercise habits. And it's not easy, because let's face it - old habits aren't easily abandoned, especially if they involve removing our favorite arrangements. We need strong motivation to help change. Specifically, we need an answer to the question: "How do I gain weight?" When faced with this question, many dieters have no answer. People who do this often respond: "I will feel better" or "My life will be better." Some explain that they are trying to lose weight to please their doctor, or their partner, or simply because they are "overweight". Unfortunately, none of these factors are strong enough to help us succeed. So when temptation comes our way, we cannot resist it. What kind of motivation is best? Our motivation to lose weight should be based on selfish, specific benefits. A good example might be a future beach vacation, or a family event, or a specific goal of mobility or fitness. It should be as clear as possible (general benefits are irrelevant) and well related to the due date. There must also be selfishness. Weight loss will be followed by fatigue and constant tiredness. The advice I give to my clients is very simple. Don't worry about food unless you have a good purpose. Because no matter how good the diet, no matter how important the exercise program, you can't succeed unless you have a strong reason to change your habits. Diet kills hunger Many dieters are still convinced that calories are their enemy. So when they eat less, they can lose weight faster. This is not true. In fact, the less we eat, the more hungry we become and the easier it is to be tempted. The human body is trained to eat when it is hungry and does not have the energy to satisfy this basic need. That's why eating more low-calorie foods is a common reaction. How to avoid hunger There is no rocket science. Avoiding hunger means eating regularly throughout the day, and keeping your calories above 1000-1200 per day. It suppresses appetite, thus reducing appetite, and in addition helps maintain normal high calorie burns. You have too much to eat. We all have days when we are very hungry, even when we are hungry. That's not a problem - just eat too much! Better a poor horse than no horse at all. Can it help you lose weight? Yes. But what will happen to it? Spending a few extra days to achieve your goal is not a problem. The real danger is not eating enough and being hungry and depressed. This is the recipe for pleasure.
Bad days and the problem of imperfection is not a perfect diet. The fact is that all dieters experience "bad days" or are tempted from time to time. Sadly, many dieters insist on "perfection". They can't stand this mistake. So when (they say) they go to visit a friend and eat 2 cups of ice cream and a box of cake, they fall apart. "I don't care!" They cry "I'm a failure!" Overwhelmed by guilt over his failure, he gave up his food in disgust. In that case, there is nothing wrong with engaging in real pleasure. I mean, we need to eat a lot of food (3500+ calories) to gain a pound of weight. The actual damage is caused by the following offense. And that's exactly what we need to fix. The case comes from trying to be perfect. All dieters make mistakes and that is natural. Being selfish doesn't always cause fear, it reduces guilt. Even my most successful clients - those who have lost 100+ pounds - make a common mistake. The difference is that they did not consider themselves "perfect." So they feel that they have the "right" to make mistakes from time to time, and you
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