Set Long and Short Term Weight Loss Goals

Fad diets play off the fact that dieters feel bad about their bodies. Thus, being too exuberant can lead to an overly restrictive menu plan that ends up slowing your metabolism causing a need for an additional reduction in caloric intake. Food advertising is good at preying on the negative thoughts that people develop toward food. It's a cycle that repeats once the diet fails. It is important to flush the overweight mentality out of your head and start thinking like a thin person.

Once you visualize yourself as thin, you will be motivated by how good you'll look and feel without the extra weight. Relying on willpower to overcome cravings doesn't always work. If it did, dieting would be easy and we would all look our best. However, it might be easier than you think if you follow a few tips from the experts on how to stay on track.

• What's Holding You Back - Since it takes time to accomplish real goals, it is important to adopt realistic strategies for budgeting your time each day, so you can devote effort to eating right and staying active.
• Make a Commitment - Committing to achievable goals is the first step toward developing an action plan that will help you reach them. Once you've committed, it is much easier to stay on track each day by knowing what lies ahead.
• Recruit a Buddy - Find a "weight loss buddy". It is great to have someone to talk to, and you can provide crucial support and motivation for each other as diet friends.
• Listen to What Your Body Says - Avoid eating at the computer or in front of the television. Tune out the multitasking and enjoy the eating experience instead.
• Avoid Stress Eating - Do not give up on your deepest heart desires in order to please others. Put yourself "unselfishly" first and make sure you honor your own desires. It is not selfish to say no to others for self-preservation.

The estimated medical cost of obesity in the United States is over $150 billion annually and obesity-related health conditions include some of the leading causes of preventable or premature death. Identifying healthier alternatives is a great way to manage your cravings, especially for junk food. Make a batch of crispy kale chips to satisfy your hunger for potato chips. Over time, your brain and taste buds will adjust and learn to like the healthier option even more.

Bad habits with food do not have to sabotage your weight loss efforts. Instead, overturn them by using the power of your mind to resist food cravings and eliminate the problem you have with food addictions. It is okay to eat for emotional reasons, such as birthday cake at a party, but you need to be able to recognize those cues and decide for yourself if food is what your body wants or needs.