When it comes to getting your diet on track, there seem to be more traps than truths. While there are many diet mistakes, there are certainly some that are easier to avoid than others. The first step to avoiding these diet mistakes is learning what they are and if you are prone to them!
Perhaps the single most common diet mistakes is adopting an all or nothing attitude. These are the extreme dieters that scour the pantry and eliminate anything that could even be considered a temptation. They embark on a dietary regimen that is nearly impossible to maintain and believe that all is lost the moment they stray from the strict guidelines of their diet. Typically, this type of dieter seeks quick and significant weight loss within the first few weeks of dieting. Additionally, they are particularly prone to crash diets and fad health trends that promise the world but usually just leave you with disappointment and a ruined metabolism.
While this approach may work for some in the short term, it sets them up for failure, frustration, and ill will towards the entire dieting process. The important thing when it comes to a diet is the goal. Your goal is to shed pounds. There are many ways this can be done that don’t require you to starve or punish yourself in the process.
Another of the greatest diet mistakes is selecting a plan where you eat the same thing every day. Despite our human need for structure and routine, we tend to enjoy a different breakfast, lunch, or dinner depending on the occasion. Allowing some sort of variety in your diet is not only an option, it is a necessity. Incorporating a wide variety of foods in your diet allows you the excitement of trying new recipes and successfully fulfilling all your micronutrient needs for the day at the same time. While it may be easier to eat the same meals day in and day out, even the occasional substitute can benefit your body and mind while keeping you on track.
Other common diet mistakes include depriving yourself of all the things you enjoy. One thing that we often forget is the importance of moderation. Fill up on servings of fruits and vegetables, but allow yourself to enjoy the occasional indulgence for the sake of sanity. With today’s diet culture, it is more popular than ever to fit foods into your daily “macro” plan and continue losing weight. As long as you remember calories in vs. calories out, you won’t even have to worry about derailing your progress with occasional indulgence. There is no bad food in moderation.
You should also avoid the diet mistake of not setting goals. While you do not want to set goals that are impossible to achieve, you should also avoid not setting any at all. Those who set measurable, achievable goals will see the greatest degree of weight loss success. Making those goals public and asking for support is another thing that will help you achieve greater success. Join a Facebook diet group, a Reddit forum, or even a site like Bodybuilding.com where you can share your goals and successes with other like-minded people. The encouragement of a group environment has great effects for many people!
The final diet mistake that is often the most common is giving up. We all have setbacks along the way, and even the best most diligent dieters have their occasional slip-ups. The end result however, for those who stick with the plan is a healthier body and that is something that is worth fighting for. Your goals may get side-tracked, but you can always set new goals. You may have had a bad day or even a bad week when it comes to your dietary goals and plans. Do not let this defeat your desires to become a healthier you.
Learn to overcome occasional mistakes and move on from them. Learn from your failures and remember how they make you feel. Whether you want to get rid of 10 pounds or 210 pounds, the only way to achieve that goal and make it last is by dedicating yourself to the process of becoming healthier. A healthy person has healthy eating habits and doesn’t starve him or herself, nor does a healthy person binge on foods. Learn to enjoy food in moderation and you should be well on your to the success you seek.
