Dr. Donnica's Top Tips for Diet Success
Are you one of the millions of Americans
who resolved to "lose weight" this year? Are you still sticking with that
resolution? Here are some tips that should help you achieve your weight loss--and
weight management--goals.
The best diet is the one that works for you.
This having been said, no diet will work if you don't follow it or stay on
it. Do not view this as a "short-term" fix: view this as a long-term
lifestyle change.
- Set REALISTIC weight loss goals that you can achieve; you can always set
a new one once you reach that goal. I recommend that the first goal
be no more than to lose 10% of your original body weight.
- Like embarking on any new journey, read the book! This is the "instruction
manual" for how to "do" this diet properly. . And successfully.
- Drink PLENTY of water: at least 10 glasses per day.
- Take the recommended vitamins and dietary supplements:
- A general multivitamin
- Calcium with Vitamin D
- Omega 3 fatty acids/fish oil
- If you become constipated, take a fiber supplement, a stool softener, or
a laxative. . And increase your fluid intake, vegetable intake, and exercise.
- Exercise helps! The more the better.
- If you are hungry, eat-just make sure it's something on the low carbohydrate
list.
- Try to eat a small snack before you are really hungry.
- Keep cooked meat in the refrigerator that can be quickly microwaved or
eaten cold when in a hurry.
- If you are traveling or going somewhere which may not have low carbohydrate
food choices (e.g. the movies, a party, an airplane) either eat before you
go, or bring your own food with you.
- When eating in a restaurant or hotel room service: tell the waiter
up-front not to bring any bread, pasta, rice or potatoes-these items are often
served without being mentioned on the menu.
- At home, try to be creative about varying your diet: variety is the
spice of life and will decrease your likelihood of letting boredom cause you
to stray from your goals.
- If you "cheat" or fall off the bandwagon, don't despair, and don't give
up. Just get right back to your plan as soon as possible.
Created: 1/24/2005 - Donnica Moore, M.D.
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