Going on a diet is perhaps one of the most common things you will encounter. Whether some scientific study found that this food group or this particular ingredient is bad for you, this new fad diet plan where everyone on it has lost 10, 15, 20 pounds, or you find yourself wanting to make some changes while looking in the mirror. What is hard is sticking to your diet. Here are a few things I learned when starting your die

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  • 1

    Don't Starve Yourself

    This is perhaps the big thing I see alot of people do or hear about. You're in the break room or at some social gathering and all of a sudden you hear someone's stomach rumbling. So you ask said person if they want something to eat and they say "No I can't eat, I'm on a diet."

    The purpose of a diet isn't to starve yourself to lose weight. Diets are to help you make better eating choices that can help you lose weight. Starving yourself is not what you want to do. This can cause you to go on big eating binges and even condition your body to gain more weight. So the next time your hungry, have some nutritional snack on hand, like an apple, grapes or granola bar. Remember you're trying to eat better, not starve yourself.

  • 2

    Sea Salt Is Not Really A "Healthier" Option

    This is something I see alot. People just pouring pounds and pounds of salt on their food and then they notice you staring and say "It's ok, It's Sea Salt, it's healthy."

    Well, actually it's really not.

    What makes Sea Salt a "healthier" option is how it's processed. Sea salt is processed from the evaporation of sea water. This is being done through natural means which means no extra minerals or additives are being added to it.

    That's not to say regular mineral or table salt has it's own benefits. Some nutritionists have argued that table salt is healthier because during the processing step iodine is added, which helps maintain a healthy thyroid.

    A Mayo Clinic study determined that sea salt and table salt actually both contain the same nutritional value and that only big differences between the two were texture and taste.

    That being said, if you like salt, don't eliminate it from your diet as your body needs salt to assist in nerve and muscle function and to help keep your fluids balanced.

    Just consume either your table salt or sea salt in moderation.

  • 3

    Celebrate The Small Victories

    Sure you could have an overall goal of losing 20 pounds however don't be disappointed when on your new diet for two days you only lost one pound, like anything, losing weight to meet your goal will take time.

    When I started my diet in mid June I had a overall goal of losing 15 pounds. As of this writing I have lost 10 pounds and it took me nearly two months to get to that point.

    So as your going through your new diet plan have small goals throughout the week. For example, for your first week try losing one or two pounds, rather than going through an intense regiment of losing all 20 pounds in one week.

    Also be sure to treat yourself on those small victories like having a piece of cake or something that you personally enjoy eating. It will get you working harder and get you on track.

  • 4

    Breaking Your Diet Is Not The End Of Your Diet

    Today was a somewhat difficult day or perhaps someone at work is celebrating a birthday. Just because you're on your diet and it's not your "reward" day doesn't mean you can't partake. Just as long as you don't go overboard with unhealthy options for the rest of the day. Want a slice of that birthday cake at work, go ahead and eat it, just don't go for seconds or go for a Big Mac for lunch. Stick to your healthy options for the remainder of the day.

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