14 Daily Fat-Fighting Tips
1. Start your diet with a food diary. Record
everything you eat, what you were doing at the time, how
you felt. That tells you about yourself - your temptation
times, the emotional states that encourage you to eat -
and may help you lose weight, once you see how much you
eat.
2. If you're about to cheat, allow yourself a
treat, then eat only half and throw the other half away.
When hunger hits, wait several minutes before eating and
see if it passes.
3. Instead of eating the forbidden piece of
candy, brush your teeth. The sweetness of the toothpaste
may take your craving away.
4. Drink six to eight glasses of water a day.
Water itself helps cut down on water retention because it
acts as a diuretic. Taken before meals, it dulls the
appetite by giving you that "full" feeling.
5. Diet with a buddy. Many successful
weight-loss programs rely heavily on support groups:
caring people who help one another succeed. Start your
own, even with just one other person.
6. Avoid evening TV. Studies show that people
who watch a lot of TV tend to be overweight. Overweight
people will tell you that TV encourages them not only to
sit still but also to snack.
7. Make dining an event. Eat from your own
special plate, on your own special place mat, and borrow
the Japanese art of food arranging to make your meal,
however meager, look lovely. This is a trick that helps
chronic overeaters and bingers pay attention to their
food, instead of consuming it unconsciously.
8. Avoid consuming large quantities of fattening
liquids, which are so easy to overdo. That includes
alcohol.
9. Keep plenty of crunchy foods like raw veggies
and popped popcorn on hand. They're high in fiber, and
they're satisfying and filling.
10. Don't lose too quickly. Be happy with a
slower weight loss. Remember, you're less likely to gain
back what you lose slowly and your body isn't going to
sag.
11. Don't eat with the radio or stereo on.
Concentrate on eating every mouthful slowly and savoring
each morsel.
12. Always eat with a utensil, even finger foods
like fruit or bread. And if possible, use
chopsticks. Unless you're really adept, you'll be forced
to eat more slowly and take smaller bites.
13. Buy nonstick pans so you can saute without
the addition of any fat;
14. Wear a belt or girdle that makes you aware
of when you've eaten enough.
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