Simple & Great Dieting Tips

Here are some obstacles and their solutions for helping you achieve or even exceed your diet goals.


Problem 1-

Poor planning

Without a plan you are at the mercy of whatever cravings come along and whatever situation you find yourself stuck in. 

The Fix:

Before you go to sleep every night, think through your priorities for the next day. Plan for regular healthy food, some kind of exercise and some rewards to yourself for sticking to your plan. Try to break the habit of rewarding yourself with food. Think of the most powerful thing you could do that day to move you toward more health, then schedule it in.

Problem 2

Using food to feel better.

Ever tell yourself that, “If I eat ice cream I won’t feel so bad” or “I just gotta have …”

The Fix:

Make sure you are already eating plenty of healthy food throughout the day. When you go shopping, don’t buy the junk food, just the health stuff. That way it won’t be there to tempt you.

Problem 3

Skipping Exercise

Ever tell yourself, “I’ll finish my…, then I’ll exercise” or “I’m too sore”

The Fix

Start off gradually, maybe begin by walking a tiny bit every day, if only 5 to 10 minutes. Look at the types that take only a few minutes (such as burst training) or on consider those that are simplest, like taking walks, if physical stress is a problem.

Problem 4

Looking for the next big fat fix.

Telling yourself “as soon as I start my gym membership” or “I heard of this new diet”

The Fix:

Right now ask yourself what you will do today or tomorrow that will most effectively move you toward health. Write it down in your evening planning session. Ask this same question again every evening.

Problem 5

Dreaming/craving about sweet food/junk food.    

            Find something to distract you.

The Fix:

Try chewing gum or try eating a healthy snack. You could snack on some celery with peanut butter, some dark chocolate (in small amount), an avocado, etc. Keep healthful treats nearby to move away from urges, which cause terrible eating choices.

Problem 7

Stuffing food when starving.

Dieting is hard, especially when you are used to eating, anything you want any time of the day. For most this results in looking for the quick fix or over eating when mealtime arrives

The Fix:

Eat slowly, try completely chewing your meals. Then hold out at least 20 minutes prior to eating more. Try eating some quality food well before you get really hungry. Pay attention to your body’s subtler cues to head off major starving and then binging.

Problem 8

Poor food buying habits.

Buying food (sweets, junk food, highly processed) that you know won’t help your diet.

The Fix:

As noted in “The Fix” for Problem 2, don’t buy it. If you don’t buy it, its not there to tempt you. Try staying in the healthy fresh food sections of the grocery store first. Only go to the store after you’ve eaten well. Have plans and recipes for fixing fresh healthy meals and smaller frequent health snacks to keep you happy all day.