This is just one of those many lists of diet mistakes you get. I thought it might be cool to post our selection of which apply to us. Not a new idea I know but it helps to be reminded. It's from the UK ivillage site.
Quote:
1. Going on any diet that is NOT a manner of eating you can adhere to for the rest of your life.
2. Believing you can eat cabbage soup every day for the rest of your life when beginning that diet!
3. Obsessing over counting calories.
4. Weighing in more than once a week.
5. Not drinking enough water.
6. Drinking sugar laden drinks such as soft drinks, flavoured coffees, fruity drinks...
7. Consuming processed foods more often than fresh foods.
8. Taking the benefits away from vegetables and fruits by overcooking them.
9. Having a negative, defeatist attitude.
10. Not having a plan.
11. Not being aware of the nutritional benefits or harm of what you consume.
12. Finishing every last bite even after you are full.
13. Going back for “seconds” at meals.
14. Eating at "all you can eat buffets" and getting your money worth.
15. Skipping breakfast.
16. Starving all day, thinking it’s the only way to lose weight.
17. Binging after “falling off the wagon” and then waiting until "tomorrow" to get back on track.
18. Thinking you are genetically destined to be fat.
19. Not believing you have the ability to change.
20. Confusing "fat" as a personality trait.
21. Thinking you are unattractive.
22. Not living each day to the fullest. Thinking that will come “when you are thinner.”
23. Thinking pills, powders or potions are more powerful than they really are.
24. Thinking of exercise as a chore.
25. Not scheduling exercise as a vital part of the week.
26. Indulging in alcohol too often.
27. Watching sports rather than playing sports.
28. Watching television more than one hour a day.
29. Giving up and resigning to being "fat”.
30. Finishing the food off other's plates while doing the dishes.
31. Tasting and nibbling on food while cooking.
32. Baking biscuits, pies and cakes more than often than at special occasions.
33. Always having sweets in dishes for "guests,” but eating more of them yourself.
34. Buying unhealthy snack items "for the kids" but eating them yourself.
35. Not having vegetables and/or fruit with each meal.
36. Thinking “dieting”, not lifestyle change, will lead to lasting weight loss.
37. Not visualising yourself actually living that healthy lifestyle.
38. Eating refined foods instead of wholegrain; fatty meats instead of lean; full-fat dairy instead of reduced fat.
39. Consuming fast food on a regular basis.
40. Waiting for tomorrow to "get started" rather than RIGHT NOW!
I disagree with 3. Obsessing over counting calories as it works for me, although I do think that you have to not just consider raw number of calories in an item but rather the ratio of satisfyingness to calories!
9. Having a negative, defeatist attitude.
10. Not having a plan.
12. Finishing every last bite even after you are full.
13. Going back for “seconds” at meals.
14. Eating at "all you can eat buffets" and getting your money worth.
17. Binging after “falling off the wagon” and then waiting until "tomorrow" to get back on track.
24. Thinking of exercise as a chore.
25. Not scheduling exercise as a vital part of the week.
28. Watching television more than one hour a day.
29. Giving up and resigning to being "fat”.
30. Finishing the food off other's plates while doing the dishes.
31. Tasting and nibbling on food while cooking.
33. Always having sweets in dishes for "guests,” but eating more of them yourself.
35. Not having vegetables and/or fruit with each meal.
40. Waiting for tomorrow to "get started" rather than RIGHT NOW!
Are my problems
3. Obsessing over counting calories ... I have a calorie journal I keep with me every day and it saves me from a lot of unwanted food. On days I don't use it, I do terribly.
4. Weighing in more than once a week ... Not a slave to the scale, but I find two weigh-ins usually keeps me on the straight and narrow.
7. Consuming processed foods more often than fresh foods... It's winter here so fresh isn't really an option.
18. Thinking you are genetically destined to be fat... I think you can do something about it, but it's scientifically proven ... there is a fat gene and I hate when people of a larger size feel bad about this or like it's an excuse.
23. Thinking pills, powders or potions are more powerful than they really are... I do believe in a lifestyle change, but I take an appetite suppressant and it has helped me greatly.
28. Watching television more than one hour a day... I only watch television at night, but come on ... one hour? Even I watch 2!
31. Tasting and nibbling on food while cooking... All good cooks do this. I actually add up the calories.
35. Not having vegetables and/or fruit with each meal.I do terribly with this one.
39. Consuming fast food on a regular basis... Fast food has a lot more healthier choices ... it's just sticking to those choices.
9. Having a negative, defeatist attitude.
10. Not having a plan.
12. Finishing every last bite even after you are full.
15. Skipping breakfast.
16. Starving all day, thinking it’s the only way to lose weight.
17. Binging after “falling off the wagon” and then waiting until "tomorrow" to get back on track.
19. Not believing you have the ability to change.
20. Confusing "fat" as a personality trait.
21. Thinking you are unattractive.
22. Not living each day to the fullest. Thinking that will come “when you are thinner.”
24. Thinking of exercise as a chore.
25. Not scheduling exercise as a vital part of the week.
28. Watching television more than one hour a day.
35. Not having vegetables and/or fruit with each meal.
40. Waiting for tomorrow to "get started" rather than RIGHT NOW!
but I don't agree with this one:
4. Weighing in more than once a week.
I weigh in every morning, and that keeps me on track. Yes I know it's not as accurate but it's mentally helpful.
I disagree with several of them too. The not weighing often is very debatable. For some of us, weighing often keeps us motivated. For others it is discouraging. You have to do what works for you.
I don't count calories. I don't think I would do that in real life, so why do it while "dieting?" I also don't count carbs, although I am on a low carb diet. I wouldn't do that in "real life" so why not get used to eating and knowing what it is ok for me to eat now in a general way?
I also don't believe in the "lean meats, low fat dairy" either. On low carb, fats are actually preferable to their lower fat "alternatives" because often lower fat products have more carbs. Fat is a very satisfying food, which helps you to be less hungry, so on low carb it is acceptable. One must realize that if they aren't doing low carb, fats also have 9 calories per gram versus 4 calories per gram for carbs and proteins.
So of course, all things in moderation. However choosing "low fat" when it has much more sugar or starch is a bad choice. One spikes your blood sugar and makes you hungrier, and one does not. One gives you a feeling of well being and of being full, the other does not. Fat is not always a bad choice.
I have to disagree with weighing only once a week as well. I know it is easy to get discouraged when you see a couple of lbs pop up from the day before but if I only weigh once a week I get caught thinking that I can diet and exercise the 2 days before my weigh in and that will make all the difference in the world. If I weigh every day I at least know when things are starting to get out of whack rather than waiting a whole week.
40 Diet Mistakes
