Five dieting sins that will slow you down

by Bethany Sanders (Subscribe to Bethany Sanders's posts)
Sep 24th 2007 11:00AM

Categories: Diet & Weight Loss, Nutrition & Supplements

You've started exercising. You've cut back on fat, salt, and sugar. You've added more fruits and vegetables to your diet, lean proteins, plenty of fiber. You're losing weight -- nothing can stop you now, right? Hopefully, that's true, but there are some diet blunders that can cause major roadblocks on your path to success. Knowing about them ahead of time may help you head them off, so that you can reach that goal weight and have that fit, healthy body you've been waiting for. So what are the five worst "dieting sins"? EDiets has them, and they include:

Not writing things down. Food journaling requires that you look things up, that you understand the calorie, carb, and fat content in the foods you eat, and that you write down every bite. Looking over what you ate at the end of the day is also a powerful lesson that will help you avoid overeating.
Eating too much. Even too much of a good thing is too much. Know your calorie limit and stick to it.
Flying by the seat of your too-tight pants. If you plan meals and stick to the plan, you'll stay ahead of hunger and be less likely to binge on poor food choices.
"I'll just eat one." Trigger foods are very powerful and unless you're certain of your willpower to keep your portions tiny, stay away from those sweet and salty troublemakers.
Portion distortion. Know what portion sizes are and if you aren't absolutely sure, measure. Not being accurate can mean adding unnecessary calories and fat to your daily intake.

Plan carefully, be deliberate, and stay away from these dieting blunders and you're sure to reach your goal before you know it!

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Comments (14)

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

~`:-joanna 9-27-2007 @ 8:31AM

If I would only exercise.... I have added natural organic foods to my new way of eating. I am able to stay away from the fast food, fatty not good for me foods; Thanks to " The Wholefood Farmacy" http//www.farminabag.com I have dropped 18pds, my sister has dropped 16 and my daughter 7, (hoorah). It has been suprisingly easy. My sister and I did the Liquithon and then incorporated the snack foods from the company then added only fresh foods from the grocer. My daughter just changed her snacking habits to cut out the chips and cookies and to snack on only the wholefoods from the farmacy. We are all very psyched! Maybe I will take a walk today.

~`:-joanna 9-27-2007 @ 8:42AM

If you would like to coinceider a healthy diet alternative, perhaps just to re-claim your body and to re-claim your health go visit "The Wholefood Farmacy" at http://www.farminabag.com
It's nice to know that we have choices, good foods we can enjoy that are also good for our bodies, and our well being.

ro 9-27-2007 @ 10:00AM

i am a twenty-year-old female college student. while i know that my situation isn't ike most, i feel the need to share it. this article sets off red flags to me, because, as an 18-year-old freshman battling the "freshman 15", i became anorexic. and i became anorexic by ABUSING every single one of the tips above - essentially, demonizing food. i am on the right track now, but after battling food issues i know my point of view will never be the same. it is incredibly IMPRISIONING to count everything you eat, plan it out. it's stress-inducing.

my major mistake was not developing an eating plan that i could LIVE WITH. the plan above is working toward a singular goal... and then once they get there? if you kept up with that plan your whole life you'd be miserable.

EAT FOR LIFE.

chrisgee 9-27-2007 @ 10:46AM

wanna lose weight?....stop eating meat, dairy, and sugar for a while, give your body a chance to recuperate from years of crap, stay away from fake shit, drink lots of water and exercise. meat and dairy are not necessary if you eat fruits, vegtables, beans, seeds, and tofu (soy). use your imagination. over time you may want to reintroduce some items from meat and dairy back into your diet. just make sure they are healthy alternatives and organic.

Jim 9-27-2007 @ 12:00PM

For crying out loud, it's common sence. The artical above pretty much says it all. Know how many carories are in what your eating. Eat squares, lots of veggies and fruit, know how to prepare your meat to have a good taste and low in calories. You have to eat to loose weight, just eat right. Small healthy snacks between smaller meals. Then the kicker, get off your butt and exercise. Find something you like and do it. I have lost 95 lbs in less than 8 months. No fad diets, change your eatting habbits and find something you enjoy to stay in shape. (then ya have to buy new clothes)

Connie Poppen 9-27-2007 @ 12:17PM

I have battled with weight issues all my life. It did not bother me so much in teen years. But I am in my 50's now, and for the last 15 years, have been on Bipolar meds, which put over 50 lbs. on me, prob. more. I can't function without the meds, so I just try so hard to diet. I eat due to stress. And, I am a sweet freak. I am about a 100 lbs. overweight, but I am going to try if I can just get started, and a hold of myself. I have found NO product on the market that works, and I have tried many of them. I did have good luck once on mixing watermelon, papaya, and fresh pineapple together, 3 times a day as a great fat burner, and lost about 30 lbs. on it. Just can't take it anymore, makes me sick. I am going to try Healthy dinners, since I don't cook.

BRIAN 9-27-2007 @ 12:31PM

THIS IS FOR CONNIE. THE REASON YOU HAVE NOT FOUND A PRODUCT THAT WORKS IS BECAUSE ONE DOES NOT EXSIST!! IF IT WERE AS EASY AS TAKING A PRODUCT, DON'T YOU THINK EVERYONE WOULD BE IN GOOD SHAPE? IT TAKES WORK, LOTS OF WORK.
OVER THE PAST 4 YEARS I HAVE DROPPED OVER 150 POUNDS OF FAT AND PACKED ON 40 POUNDS OF MUSCLE!
I DID THIS ALL THROUGH A CHANGE IN DIET AND EXCERSISE
THE HARDEST PART IS WALKING THROUGH THAT GYM DOOR, BUT CONNIE, IT WILL CHANGE YOUR LIFE. IT TRULY IS A NATURAL CURE FOR DEPRESSION. SINCE STARTING I HAVE NOT HAD TO TAKE ONE ANTI-DEPRESSANT OR ANTI-ANXIETY DRUG.
P.S. IF YOU SHOULD SHOP AT WHOLE FOODS BE VERY CAREFUL AND READ ALL OF THE LABELS, THE FOOD MAY NOT CONTAIN ANY ARTIFICIAL INGREDIENTS, BUT IT IS LOADED WITH FAT AND SUGAR!
GOOD LUCK!

RunawayPoster 9-27-2007 @ 12:38PM

Hey Brian...nice you're trying to "help" Connie, but depression as you were suffering from is only half of a Bipolar's Problem and what may work for you may not work for another person. Best to leave that advice to the Psychiatric field, huh?

Christine Harris 9-27-2007 @ 1:16PM

I am 61 years old and have fought the fat since I quit smoking 20 years ago......that said, I finally got off my rear end and started exercising......high impact water aerobics at our local YMCA.......we have a certified trainer and you should feel my new muscles........I'm no different than anyone else when it comes to being lazy to exercise, but this is different....you don't have to know how to swim, I do, but you don't have to......in the water you weigh 1/10 of your weight and its easy on your "old" joints...however, if you for instance weigh 150 lb., in one hour of high impact water aerobics you burn 300 to 500 calories.....that is if you really work at it and believe me i can't do anything on land that i do in the water and wow what its doing for me.......also watching my food intake...the only answer is calories in and energy out....no magic pill....but the answer for my exercise was water aerobics.......you can do anything in the water......i even go to the deep end at the divers platforms and have done now 80 pull ups which have firmed up my triceps and biceps.......and i'm 61 years old.....its not to late and don't be discouraged.......this mountain can also be removed......the football players are now even doing their exercises in water........that says something i'm sure.....

toridale 9-27-2007 @ 1:33PM

Runaway, Brian wasn't suggesting anything about Connie's bipolar disorder...just that excercise worked for his depression. It's sad that we live in a culture that people can't even offer encouragement without be ridiculed. SAD! Maybe you need some medication, Runaway!

mlmclendon67 9-27-2007 @ 1:41PM

I found an easier way to writing down food intake. It's called www.sparkpeople.com. Great website.

Linda 9-27-2007 @ 2:05PM

for every 10 pounds you are overweight, it puts 50 pounds of pressure on your knees--that should be a motivator!

Rosa 9-27-2007 @ 2:13PM

Connie,you say you don't cook,,but you can broil a piece of chicken,fish,even a small steak..add some steamed vegetables,,and you will loose weight the healthy way,,yes its hard,,but just take one day at a time..and also Lean Cuisine dinners come in handy when nothing else is available...I'm speaking from experience,,took me almost one year to loose 40 lbs..and i also joined a gym.DO NOT GIVE UP.

Chris Smith 10-01-2007 @ 4:18PM

These are 5 things that will have a HUGE impact on health and weight:

1. Exercise. You won't see big results if you don't.

2. Skip the soda. You wouldn't believe how many calories are added on in soda and other beverages. Juice as well, go easy on it.

3. Don't eat 'fast food'. No greasy burgers, fries, and shakes. Even the salads are bad for you with how much calories are in the dressing.

4. Eat more fiber. It keeps you feeling full, and helps your digestive system.

5. Eat more fruit and vegetables. Try to eat fresh, but frozen and canned are better than nothing.

If you aren't happy with your weight now, I guarantee you will be healthier if you do ALL FIVE of these things, and follow through with them.