10 Principles of Losing Weight
1. Think long term . Shortcuts and quickie plans never last. 2. Do it yourself . Improving your health and energy are better motivations than a coming class reunion . 3. Prepare the way . Don't rush into a diet before you are ready for long-term changes. Keeping a diet journal will help you become more aware of what you eat and why. 4. Think fruits, grains, legumes , and vegetables . In the standard American diet , more than 50 percent of calories come from fat, sugar and alcohol. 5. Control portion sizes . Use a smaller plate. Serve yourself smaller portions and put away leftovers before you eat. At restaurants, ask for a doggie bag instead of cleaning your plate. 6. Eat three meals a day . Eating at regular intervals will not send your body into a deprivation (starvation) mode, which may cause you to eat and binge more. 7. Maintain your program . Successful weight-loss managers realize that they are not on a temporary diet . They are starting a permanent new lifestyle. 8. Ex...