Dieting Current News – Losing Twenty Pounds

Food diaries are an excellent self-monitoring method for those who like to be in control of their weight loss. For seven days, stick to your usual pattern of eating. Each day, enter everything that’s passed your lips, however small. Then you’ll have a good idea of what needs modifying and by how much.

Obviously, if there are several take-aways and other high fat foods, cutting those out would be a start. But if that’s not the case, and what you’re eating looks OK, then just reduce the amount. Either way, use your food diary as the basis for the changes you wish to make.

Then take the next seven days and write down exactly what you’re going to stick to. Think of what you’re going to eat and drink, and what exercise you want to include. Where food is categorised, create a list of prohibited food and ‘treat’ food. And then write down the food you can eat in generous amounts.

If you enjoy alcohol, decide on a small quantity that you will allow yourself at the weekend, and write it down. Sugary fizzy sodas are banned! And on to exercise – make a note of the daily activities you plan to fit into your week.

Make a note of your weight before you commence this programme. Assess your progress each week, and adjust where necessary. It’s tempting to get on the scales every few days – don’t. Keep it to once every seven days, first thing in the morning.

A plan such as this will allow you to manage your weight loss programme and adjust it to suit yourself. Make comments as you go – keep the diary as a working document. Also enter the exercise you’re doing, to make sure this isn’t getting left out. A diary is a very simple way to monitor your progress – and a remarkable tool for staying with the program!

It’s vital however not to look for an instantaneous result. Although you may not be able to see evidence of weight loss in the first couple of weeks, you should be starting to feel fitter. Try to exercise patience, and do persevere. Motivating yourself over a long period has it’s challenges – but if you concentrate on the prize instead of the price it becomes much easier.

If you lose your way for a short while, try to get back on track quickly. It could be that you should look at altering your diet. There are some relatively easy ways to introduce more exercise. A thirty minute routine three times a week is a good habit to get into.

Recognise your successes. Dieting is much more motivating when you quantify your results and reward yourself for your efforts. Clothes shopping isn’t appropriate ’til you’ve reached your target weight. However, there’s nothing wrong with a theatre trip to celebrate a milestone.

(C) Scott Edwards. Hop over to WeightLossDietWar.com for smart diet advice on diet plan and fast weight loss diet.