5 Ways We Dieters Fool Ourselves into Failure

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Your shoelace is untied.

Is that a spot on your shirt?

You just sat in wet paint!

Today is April Fools Day. If anyone says any of the above comments, I hope you don't bite.

I have always hated April Fools Day, but I know some people insist on perpetuating this silly "holiday" that's marked by giggles 'n snickers, false warnings of impending danger, and screechy nail-on-chalkboard exclamations of "Ha! Ha! April Foolsssssss!"

The only good thing about April Fools Day? It gives me an excuse to write this blog!

5 ways we fool ourselves into failing at dieting

Here are five foolish things you say or think while derailing your desire to lose weight or keep it off.

1. I'll start my diet Monday... or tomorrow.

The best time to start a diet is today... right now, in fact. I'm a procrastinator. I know how easy it is to set a future date to get started on a project... or a diet.

But by giving yourself extra days before getting serious, you're simply allowing yourself to continue on with the bad habits that led you to being overweight in the first place.

And if you're like me -- King Fool -- you'll spend the extra days eating everything and anything, like a condemned man trying to gobble up all his favorites before his sentence is carried out!

The end result: You'll probably gain even more weight before you start dieting. Or, worse yet, by the time Monday rolls around you'll lose the resolve that led you to consider a diet.

Do yourself a big favor and get started... NOW!

2. I don't have time for exercise!

Got a job that gets you out of the house early and doesn't get you home until late? Got kids? Got other commitments?

Oh, boo hoo. Everyone is busy. That's just how life is. If you want to exercise and burn more calories you CAN find the time.

I got up an hour earlier today to write this column. I could just have easily bypassed the PC and headed to the basement to walk on the treadmill for 30-45 minutes before the kids get up for school.

And what about the evening hours? Do you really have to sit on the couch, glued to your TV, watching hour after hour of "your favorite shows" while your brain and butt transform into jelly?

If you answered YES, then consider squeezing in exercises during commercial breaks or treadmill walking while you watch.

Better yet, force yourself to head outdoors for an honest-to-goodness back-to-nature walk. I have always found that once I get started with exercise I fall in love with it -- and it becomes a part of my day that I look forward to.

You can lose weight without exercise; you won't lose as much weight as quickly!

3. An extra slice of pizza or a dish of ice cream won't hurt!

Recent studies show it's all about the calories folks.

Can you enjoy an occasional treat? By all means.

Can you fit in a treat a day? Sure... if you really aren't interested in losing weight.

They say nothing tastes as good as thin feels. I say let's test that belief and all get thin!

Seriously, it's the treats and extra helpings that have helped us into bigger clothes, worse health and greater depression about our weight.

Don't stop the treats. But make sure they are healthy treats. Fruits... veggie stix and low-fat dip... pretzels... popcorn (without butter)... 100-cal snack packs...

There are plenty if options. Seek them out and use them sparingly.

4. I hate sharing my feelings with others and will be fine going it alone!

As the many success stories I've written here at www.diettogo.com show, members do better when they lean on their fellow dieters for support and motivation.

By being held accountable for your actions you're less likely to binge or "cheat" on your diet. Having someone to talk to or exercise with helps keep you on the right track.

Don't go it alone. There really is safety in numbers.

Studies show those of us who diet with support do better... much better.

5. All diets are the same!

Yes, it's all about cutting calories and increasing activity. But no, it's not about cutting out entire food groups or ingesting nothing but liquids.

Trendy diets come and go... just like your extra pounds. Coincidence? I think not.

It's old school but moderation is the key. Enjoying a well-rounded diet will help you stay the course without the boredom or yearnings that lead to straying.

A diet is simply an eating plan. So be sure to make it one that is sustainable. If you consider a diet something with a start and finish date, then you're setting yourself up for failure.

Look at what you eat now and make better choices like diet soda rather than regular... skim milk rather than 2%... more veggies, less meat...

If you need help getting started, try the Diet-to-Go meal plans -- Low-Fat Traditional, Low Carb or Low-Fat Vegetarian.

They say a fool and his money are soon parted. I say a dieting fool and his weight are doomed to stay together!


Author: John McGran

Psychology & Weight Loss

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