Ridiculous Food Rules Can Lead to Anxiety and Frustration

The association between obesity and poverty or educational level is complex and differs by sex and ethnicity. For example, men and women with college degrees have a lower rate of obesity but obesity prevalence is higher in among men in the highest income groups compared to a lower prevalence of obesity for women in a higher economic bracket. You do not have to be a slave to food addictions and unwanted food cravings but you will need to manage stress.

Since many people get into trouble because they eat too much when they snack, trick your mind into eating less and enjoying it more. Portion your snacks into small baggies. This way you will feel like you ate all of something and your brain will be more satisfied. For a sure fire way to lose weight, put your money where your mouth is. According to Mayo Clinic, participants in a study who had financial reward incentives for hitting his or her target were more likely to lose weight.

• Create a Meal Plan for You - If you are what you eat, then think of yourself as a healthy eater. Once you begin to identify with this new role, you will start to take on those traits.
• Exercise Can Be Fun - Don't over think your situation. It can derail you from your weight loss plan. Remind yourself why you decided to make a commitment to losing the weight in the first place and stop trying to justify exceptions.
• Exercise More Patience - Research studies suggest that dieting alone does not work well for long-term weight loss as the body has a natural tendency to maintain body weight to prevent starvation when food is scarce.
• Stay Accountable to Yourself - Making tough decisions can drain your willpower. If you have a support system in place, the system can essentially take the decisions out of your hands.
• Visualize Your Goals - It is important to identify what has been keeping you from reaching your goals. Once you've identified the obstacles to weight loss success, finding the willpower to avoid overindulgence will be easier.

You do not have to be a slave to food addictions or the stress that drives compulsive eating. Once you convince yourself that you do not need them, it is much easier to resist foods with too much salt, sugar or fat. Researchers say that we only have a limited supply of willpower, so don't expect yourself to have enough mental stamina to stick to the ridiculous food rules inherent to most fad diets.

When it comes to weight loss, most people favor tangible efforts like counting calories and measuring portions. However, the physical aspects often need to take a back seat to mental issues, such as the reasons for overeating in the first place. Successful weight loss is all about how you feel. Feeling healthy, alert, energetic, confident and proud comes from getting your mind right, which is a proven key to long-term weight loss success.