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Why
Your Diet May Not Be Working!
by: Nishanth
Reddy
Jennifer, a
middle-aged single mother with one six-year-old daughter, has been skipping
sweets for a few weeks now. She's also become a stickler for portion
control. She feels as if she's eating less than ever, and she's been
diligently exercising for an hour at a time at least four days a week.
Yet, she hasn't lost a single pound. The question is, "Why?"
This is a dilemma
which affects dieters the world over. They think they are taking the
steps necessary to lose weight, but nothing seems to be happening. In
essence, they are trapped in a dieting rut and they don't know how to
free themselves. As a result, they become frustrated and depressed and
may then engage in binge eating.
One of the problems
with diets is that they are often standardized. As a result, they don't
take into consideration your individual physiology and metabolism. They
provide a cookie-cutter approach to weight loss-an approach which may
not work in your individual case. As a result, an increasing number
of people are turning to dieticians to formulate a person weight loss
strategy for them. This process has been made easier through the Internet,
where you can correspond with a dietician any time of the day or night
via e-mail. The dietician can also act as your personal coach, helping
you through your dieting dilemmas.
Another reason
that you may be failing at your diet is because of a lack of support.
You may have family members who can eat whatever they want and seemingly
not gain a pound. As a result, they may fill your refrigerator with
junk food, leading you into temptation. Also, you may feel as if you
have no one to turn to in order to discuss your weight problems. In
order to solve this problem, many individuals look to psychotherapists
to help them with their food-related issues. This can be particularly
important if an individual has turned to purging in an effort to combat
their weight problems. Bulimia is a serious disease which must be treated
in order to ensure the good health of the patient. Thankfully, there
are a number of treatment programs throughout the U.S. specifically
focusing on bulimia.
Yet another
reason for diet failure is hidden calories. You may literally be consuming
calories and not even realize it. For instance, the frappucinos that
are so popular today are loaded with calories-as many as 600 in a single
serving! You may also be indulging in sugary sodas-another source of
extra calories. By taking a few simple steps, such as eliminating the
exotic coffee drinks from your diet and substituting skim milk for whole
milk, you may be able to eliminate the hidden calories that are denying
you dieting success.
Lack of consistency
can also be a diet-killer. You might go on a diet for a while, then
quit before you've made any measurable progress. It's only natural to
want to see quick results. The problem is that healthy weight loss involves
losing only a couple of pounds a week. That means you'll have to stay
on your diet for months before you see appreciable weight loss. Discouraging?
It can be, but if you keep a positive attitude you can achieve your
ideal weight.
You may also
be more successful in your dieting if you consider it to be a lifestyle
change. Therefore, your diet becomes a meal plan for life. This means
that you must change the way you look at food. It is designed to be
fuel for your body, and nothing more. As a result, you should not turn
to food to make you feel better or to provide you with a sense of comfort.
A lifestyle change implies commitment; it means that you are prepared
to follow the plan for the long haul. If you feel as if you cannot be
on your diet for any appreciable length of time, perhaps it's time to
consider a different diet. Your aim ultimately should be not simply
to lose weight, but to become healthier. A fad diet will not allow you
to reach that milestone. Therefore, you must choose your diet carefully.
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