Ten Golden Rules of Dieting

Modifying our diet is one of the keys to losing weight.

But the statistics on diet successes aren't good and only a very small percentage of dieters achieve permanent weight loss.

To help you become one of those that do achieve permanent weight loss from dieting, here are Ten Golden Rules to Dieting that you can trust to help you lose those unwanted inches and pounds. 

Rule 1: Never Skip Breakfast

The old saying that 'breakfast is the most important meal of the day' is certainly on the money when it comes to dieting.

Nothing gets our metabolism going faster than breakfast after a good night's sleep.

Sleeping causes our metabolism to slow right down and breakfast kick-starts it again for us.

But always remember that just as important as having breakfast itself, it's also important to choose healthy breakfast options like whole grain cereals and breads, low-fat dairy products like milk and yogurt, and fruit or fruit juice.

Rule 2: Drink Plenty of Water

Drinking plenty of water is critically important when we are dieting.

As well as helping to keep us healthy, drinking sufficient amounts of water can help us when dieting because it helps keep us feeling full and stops us from feeling hungry, and when we drink plenty of water we usually drink less soda, coffee and alcohol, all of which can add significant amounts of calories to our daily intake. 

Rule 3: Count your Calories

Do you know how many calories you need to maintain your current weight and do you know how many calories you therefore need to consume in order to lose weight?

Once you know these things, you also need to keep track of how many calories you consume each day so that you can compare them to your target and make any necessary adjustments.

Writing down your calorie consumption after each meal will help you realize how much of an effect the little piece of chocolate here and the occasional cookie there has on your weight.

Rule 4: Don't try to lose weight quickly

Gaining significant weight usually takes years and so should losing a significant amount of weight.

Our bodies don't like sudden and significant change; in fact it is built to resist it.

This resistance has a scientific name called homeostasis.

When our body heats up to a temperature above its preferred level what happens?

We sweat, which is an automatic response designed to cool us down to the preferred level again. That's homeostasis at work.

When we lose weight too quickly, what happens?

Our body automatically slows down its metabolism, that is, the rate at which we burn energy to survive and function. That's homeostasis at work again.

In addition to keeping our body from fighting against us on the weight loss front, losing weight too quickly doesn't work because early rapid weight loss usually results from losing body fluid and muscle tissue which is not healthy nor helpful in our battle to lose weight. 

 

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