It is recommended that one should not begin a diet or exercise program without visiting your family physician first to make sure everything is operating properly. Sometimes weight problems may be due to underlying physical problems.
One of the biggest reasons for failed diets and exercise programs is that folks tend to go for great guns, over dieting and over exercising and then they suffer the consequences and/or they simply get burned out with the unrealistic regimens that have set for themselves. Too much weight loss too quickly typically means it will be gained back just as quickly. Too much exercise can have physical consequences. The best way to approach diet and exercise is through behavior modification, making this part of your lifestyle. Moderation is the key to just about everything in life.
If you are not a calorie counter, simply cut out second helpings and eat smaller portions. Do not turn that piece of chocolate cake or you will start wanting to eat an ocean of chocolate. Have a tiny piece to satisfy your taste for chocolate.
An observation of people who are battling weight problems is that they eat too fast. It takes about 20 minutes to get that full feeling. If you eat too fast you may have gotten full long before the 20 minutes. So slow down and savor the flavors, chewing food well.
Another observation is that folks get hooked on the idea of a 'fad' diet, expecting a miracle. The anti-carb and the all protein diets are perfect examples. These diets can actually cause health problems, denying oneself of nutrients and vitamins.
Keeping a calorie journal or a journal of when and what you may eat may also provide some insight and documentation as to what you are actually consuming. Busy lifestyles and little time for cooking proper meals sends many to the fast food restaurants for lunch and dinner. Most of us fail to eat too much meat and not enough vegetables and fruit. A big glass of water before eating will also help toward achieving that 'full' feeling and eliminate eating too much.
A portion is a rather small amount or the plate must be too large. To help fill the plate so it does not appear to be too empty and also balance out the diet for that meal, fill the empty spaces with at least one serving of veggie and one serving of fruit. That seems like a normal rounded meal to most people. Not so for many of us. As children many of us were taught to eat some of everything on the table and everything on our plates. We did so out of guilt and because we were told to and should be happy we had so much food to eat when compared to other kids in the world not so fortunate, etc. The major guilt part was to show the cook a
. Questions of a Do It Yourself nature should be submitted our "