Why Isnt My Diet Working?

Have you been on a new diet for a couple of weeks and found that you STILL can't lose weight? Have you actually GAINED a pound or two since you've been on it? Are you just about ready to throw this diet out the window and try something else? Well, hold on a minute. There might be something else going on that's preventing your diet from working.

Getting your diet to work is like planting a seed in a garden. In order for the seed to grow, you have to plant it in good soil. You have to water it, fertilize it, and protect it from weeds. In other words, a seed needs a good environment if it's going to have any chance at all to sprout, take root, and grow.

Similarly, in order for your diet to start showing results for you, it also needs a good environment. Here are 10 "weeds" that will prevent the success of any diet and may actually be the reason that yours isn't working.

1. YOU'RE NOT REALLY SERIOUS ABOUT LOSING WEIGHT

For your diet to work, you obviously have to be serious about losing weight. You need to have the right mental attitude about weight loss. In other words, you have to get your "head right." This includes:

  • a. Making a firm commitment to lose the weight, no matter what.
  • b. Making sure you're doing this for the right reasons. Trying to lose weight to please someone else never works.
  • c. Convincing yourself that you CAN lose the weight--and that you WILL!

    If your diet isn't working, it could be because you're not really serious about losing the weight in the first place.

    2. YOU'RE CHEATING ON YOUR DIET

    Cheating on your diet and cheating on love both end in disappointment. Consistent weight loss requires, well, consistency. Most of us work so hard to stick to our diet during the week that we convince ourselves that we can splurge on the weekend. Or we think that because we skipped breakfast, we can have dessert with lunch. Both are a bad choice.

    It's easy to convince yourself that having a small snack won't hurt, or that you'll work it off later. The problem is it does, and you never do. If your diet isn't working, it could be because you're not following it consistently.

    3. YOU'RE NOT EATING FEWER CALORIES

    I heard of someone that started one of those protein shake diets. He actually gained a couple of pounds. When he was asked how often he was drinking the shakes, he said, "I drink one with every meal." It never occurred to him that the shakes were supposed to replace his meals, not supplement them.

    Many dieters buy low-cal foods, and then eat twice as much. Don't be one of them! The only way to lose weight is to reduce your total caloric intake. Make sure you reduce the size of your portions and cut out all snacks that are not part of your diet plan. If your diet isn't working--or if you've actually gained a pound or two--it could be because you're not eating fewer total calories.

    4. YOU'RE NOT EATING THE RIGHT FOODS

    Eating fewer calories is only part of the battle. You need to make sure that the foods you do eat are the right types. A good rule of thumb is to make sure you get plenty of fruits, salads, and dark green vegetables. Stay away from refined foods and starches and eat meat in very small amounts (sorry, I'm not an Atkins fan).

    Leafy, green, water-rich vegetables will aid digestion, help keep you healthy, and will actually help your body get rid of excess fat. If your diet isn't working, it could be because you're not eating the right foods.

    5. YOU'RE NOT DRINKING ENOUGH WATER

    When you go on a diet, your body goes into overdrive to get rid of the excess fats and toxins that the diet liberates. Many diets (especially the protein ones) put a strain on your body's organs, especially the kidneys. Because of this, it's vital that you drink plenty of water.

    Drinking 8 or so full glasses of water every day helps to flush out the excess fats and toxins your body is trying to eliminate. Drinking plenty of water has other benefits including reducing headaches and improving your hair and skin. If your diet isn't working, it could be because you're not drinking enough water.

    6. YOU'RE NOT EXERCISING ENOUGH

    The best way to increase the number of calories you burn is through exercise. Pick walking, running, playing sports, swimming, or whatever--just make sure that when you exercise, you actually exercise. Some people go to the gym to socialize, not to exercise. Make sure you're not one of them! Get to work and make sure you stay with it long enough to burn off some excess calories.

    To lose weight, shoot for 20 to 30 minutes of aerobic exercise, every other day. Note that these 20-30 minutes do not include stretching, warm ups, cool downs, or checking yourself out in front of the mirror. Sure, these are an important part of your exercise routine but you're not going to lose any weight by stretching. At least 20 to 30 minutes of aerobic exercise, every other day.

    If you've reduced the amount of calories you're eating and your diet isn't working, it could be because you're not exercising enough.

    7. YOU'RE EXERCISING TOO HARD

    This may be counterintuitive but it's true. If you exercise too hard, your body goes into an ANAEROBIC state (without oxygen). This is when you get so out of breath that you can't seem to take in enough air. When the body is in this state, it burns mostly carbohydrates and very little fat. This is why runners "carb up" before a big race--and also why runners have just as much body fat as the rest of us.

    Slow your exercise down to no more than 85% of your maximum heart rate (subtract your age from 220 to get your max heart rate). At this pace, your body is in an AEROBIC state (with oxygen) and most of the calories that are burned are from fat, not carbs. An added benefit is that aerobic exercise tends to be low impact making it easy on your joints.

    If you already get plenty of exercise and your diet still isn't working, it could be because you're exercising too hard.

    8. YOU'RE NOT GETTING ENOUGH REST

    We all live stressful lives. Dieting typically changes your eating and exercise habits-- two more stressor's your body has to deal with. The only chance your body has to relieve tension, rejuvenate and rebuild itself is during sleep so it's important to get enough when dieting.

    Not getting enough sleep can actually slow your metabolism making weight loss difficult. It can also make you feel "groggy," which means you probably won't make the best food choices throughout the day. If your diet isn't working, it could be because you're not getting enough rest.

    9. YOU'RE FIGHTING TOO MANY BATTLES AT ONCE

    Weight loss requires both consistent effort and focus. You won't have either if you're trying to diet and deal with other "major events" in your life at the same time. Major events include things like changing jobs, moving to new house or city, trying to stop smoking, a death, accident, or sickness in the family, and so on. All of these things create a disruption in our lives and cause us to put everything--including our diets--on hold. To make matters worse, how do most of us deal with the stress caused by these major events? By snacking! Your diet doesn't have a chance.

    So don't even try. Give yourself permission to put your diet on hold until you can give it the consistent energy and focus it needs. Choose your battles carefully and fight only one at a time. If your diet isn't working, it may be because you're trying to fight too many at once.

    10. YOUR WEIGHT LOSS GOAL IS NOT REALISTIC

    Like all good things, healthy weight loss takes time. Make sure you're not setting yourself up for disappointment by setting a weight loss goal that is totally unrealistic. This includes not only the amount of weight you want to lose, but also the amount of time you think it will take. If you're doing all the right things and your diet isn't working, it may be because your weight loss goal-or the time required to reach it-isn't realistic.

    Once you get all of these issues resolved, you've cleared the way to get your diet back on track. As your diet takes root and begins to work, you should start to see the weight come off easily and naturally.

    Hiram Perez has made good health and fitness a lifelong study. Discover other simple and common sense techniques to improve your wellbeing by signing up for a free 5-part mini-course at http://www.balance-your-health.com

    cheap limo service Lombard .. Lockport Chicago limo O’Hare
    In The News:

    Recent reports show many common passwords can be cracked in literally seconds. Kurt the CyberGuy explains how to strengthen your passwords.
    Stay up to date on the latest AI technology advancements and learn about the challenges and opportunities AI presents now and for the future.
    Iron, a robot that stands 5 feet, 8 inches tall and weighs 154 pounds, combines advanced artificial intelligence with human-like movement and exceptional vision.
    Hertz, the rental car giant, recently confirmed that customer information was exposed through a cyberattack on one of its software vendors.
    There are a number of features with AirPods you may or may not know about to take your listening experience to the next level. Kurt the CyberGuy explains.
    These 35 Chrome extensions have privacy and security concerns. Tech expert Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson says to delete them now.
    Tech expert Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson says 329,000 mph fusion rocket promises to be fast, disruptive and enable deep-space missions.
    Stay up to date on the latest AI technology advancements and learn about the challenges and opportunities AI presents now and for the future.
    Tech expert Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson says a new autonomous AI is a game changer that also raises privacy risks. Is your data safe?
    Tech expert Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson says robots and drones are revolutionizing fruit farming with faster picking and smarter handling.
    Landmark Admin revises May 2024 cyberattack scope to show twice as many people were affected. Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson gives tips to help stay safe from an insurance data breach.
    Tech expert Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson talks about how Yamaha’s hydrogen outboard motor could revolutionize boating with zero emissions.
    Tech expert Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson reveals how to memorialize or remove a deceased loved one’s Facebook account and protect their digital legacy from misuse or scams.
    Tech expert Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson says an Apple Watch saved psychiatrist Amanda Faulkner by detecting deadly leukemia early.
    Scammers and fraudsters are increasingly targeting the most vulnerable, especially nursing homes and the personal data of their residents. Kurt the CyberGuy has safety tips.
    Infected USB flash drives can spread malware among multiple organizations in ways that can easily bypass traditional security systems.
    With a fully automated warehouse system and AI-powered robots, Ocado's Hive picks, packs and delivers grocery store orders in just a few minutes.
    Stay up to date on the latest AI technology advancements and learn about the challenges and opportunities AI presents now and for the future.
    Recycling robots are using artificial intelligence to learn how to sort recyclables by recognizing patterns in colors, textures, shapes and logos.
    The Reachy 2 robot is designed to be friendly and approachable, inviting natural interaction and is perfect for research, education and experimenting with embodied AI.
    Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson shares several easy ways to keep your credit cards safe from digital thieves while you're traveling this summer.
    Arcturus sets up cameras around the edges of baseball stadiums to capture real-time action and generate a 3D digital clone of the game.
    Stay up to date on the latest AI technology advancements and learn about the challenges and opportunities AI presents now and for the future.
    The CyberGuy explains why healthcare organizations are vulnerable to hackers after there have been a half dozen data breaches this year.
    Developed at two California universities, the innovative technology combines brain-computer interfaces with advanced AI to decode neural activity into audible speech.
  • No Thanks, Sweety: Im Losing Weight

    Dealing with your sweet-tooth can be one of the greatest... Read More

    Fat, Fat Go Away

    I am Dr Patrick Flanagan, and this is the latest... Read More

    Simple Summer Fat Attack!

    Summer is about to be in full swing, and it's... Read More

    Law of Attraction for Weight Loss: Your Secret to Dropping Unwanted Weight Once and for All!

    Ever notice how your best friend can lose weight on... Read More

    QuickTips for Healthy Weight Loss

    More than any other time in history, people are all... Read More

    Myth: Gastric Bypass Patients Can Never Be Nutritionally Healthy

    A common claim from gastric bypass detractors is that after... Read More

    Is Losing Weight The Same As Losing Fat?

    Contrary to common belief, your weight is not really the... Read More

    Faster Fat Loss Thats Healthy

    I received a telephone call from a lady last week.... Read More

    Putting it Off Until Im Thinner

    I can't do that Until I Lose This Weight! If... Read More

    3 Ways Going with the Flow Will Make You Fat - And What To Do About It!

    Wanna know the truth? If you're going to... Read More

    Using The Glycemic Index To Lose Weight After Pregnancy

    The vast majority of postpartum women will not return to... Read More

    Empowerment and Self-Control - What it Really Takes to get Control of your Weight

    Chant the following each day, several times. They are mantras... Read More

    The Truth About Low Carb Dieting

    Every day you walk down the street it is becoming... Read More

    Dieting: A Few Dieting Pitfalls To Avoid

    When we gain more weight than is good for us,... Read More

    The History of Tumescent Liposuction

    Liposuction is also referred to as lipoplasty, suction-assisted lipectomy and... Read More

    How To Be A Big Fat Loser In 2005

    Now that the temptations of the Holiday season have passed... Read More

    The Secret to Reaching Your Ideal Weight

    There are many books and internet articles written about weight... Read More

    Preventing Overweight and Obesity ? Are You Responsible Enough?

    Obesity is now assuming epidemic proportions. Worldwide there are over... Read More

    What You Need to Know Before Starting a Low Carb Diet

    In the last 12 months or so, low carbohydrate diets... Read More

    Low-Carb Diets: Are You Losing More than Weight?

    The average American eats about twice as much protein than... Read More

    The Benefits of Omega3 Fatty Acids - Losing Weight with Fat!

    Essential Fats for Weight LossOver the past few decades, the... Read More

    Weight Loss During Holidays: What to Do With Leftovers?

    If I Want to Lose Weight, What Can I Do... Read More

    The Key to Weight Loss: The INSIDE OUT Factor ? The #1 Mindset in Changing Your Weight Forever!

    WHAT DOES BEING FIT REALLY MEAN?The "INSIDE-OUT" approach to fitness... Read More

    Do You Jiggle When You Walk?

    Today I stopped by my favorite coffee shop in Berkeley,... Read More

    Health Care Costs ? Can Your Diet Control Them?

    One of the most talked about topics in any political... Read More

    limo O'Hare Glen Ellyn ..