Posts Tagged ‘Diet’

PostHeaderIcon Lose Weight With an Effective Weight Loss Plan

You can still lose weight without losing your lifestyle. Is all you need to do is find or create an effective weight loss plan that has a long term view in mind. There are many diets and weight loss programs on the market that market fast weight loss. Although many of the plans will help you lose weight quickly, often you will find that the weight will soon be put back on when you resume your normal lifestyle. Most people end up putting more weight back on as they tend to go on eating binges as they are unsatisfied with starving themselves for a week.

There is two ways you can approach and lose weight with a weight loss program. Firstly you can find a program that will help you lose weight, or you can develop your own.

Lose weight by developing your own weight loss plan

To lose weight with your own weight loss plan you will need to do the following

1. Work out your Body Mass Index (BMI). There are many tools out there. Alfitness.com.au has a free diet profile and BMI calculator and diet profile that will help with this.

2. Figure out how much weight you want to lose and the time frame you want to lose weight in. Lose weight at around .5kg per week to lose weight in a healthy manner.

3. Develop an eating plan that takes into account how many calories that your body needs. Then create an exercise plan to burn five hundred calories more than you are consuming. This rule of thumb will help you lose weight at around .5kg per week.

When creating your diet plan you can still eat the foods that you enjoy and still lose weight. Many people think that to lose weight on a diet that they need only to eat “diet foods”. Not true. Just make sure that you get your portion control correct. This is a major point of failure for people who are trying to lose weight.

Finding a Weight Loss Program to lose weight

You can lose weight long term by following a structured weight loss sytem. There are many out there that will get you good results. The best ones to help you lose weight are

Weight Watchers

Australian Lifestyle & Fitness

Jenny Craig

These systems are all very strong and you will lose weight if you follow these programs. To lose weight and keep it off you need to make sure that you keep a long term view in mind otherwise you will become a yo-yo dieter!

PostHeaderIcon Is your Diet Helping you Lose Weight?

The way you diet can do wonders for your body-image and health in the long run or it can forever ruin your hopes for looking gorgeous and feeling great. Everybody is into dieting today, regardless of whether they’re doing it knowingly or not. We all believe that we should eat more broccoli and a lot more raw fruits and vegetables and less fat and so on.

And for the most part of our lives we do try to stay on the right side of healthy, but it’s not always easy. Add to that the fact that there are so many conflicting stories on what’s hot and what’s not when it comes to healthy foods and you can easily find yourself in a dieters’ hell.

So what can you do to be sure your diet is both helping you to lose weight and stay healthy in the long run?

The most important thing when it comes to diets is to use common sense. Common sense wouldn’t let you starve to death with plenty of food around you and it would most likely make you feel you’ve had too much when you give way to your eating cravings! So yes, common sense is your best ally when it comes to healthy diet choices.

The next very important thing is to understand that your body needs proteins, fats, sugars, fibers, vitamins and minerals at all meals if it is to feel satisfied with what you’ve been eating. Ideally, every time you eat, your plate should have some protein, a little fat and a little fibrous mass to ensure that you feel full and satisfied.

This takes some planning and for some of us planning can be hard because we are so much into the “mindlessly munching on pretzels” habit. You have to admit it, it’s a lot easier to reach out for a bag of whatever junk food is available than to plan a balanced meal.

It also means that if you plan to replace potato chips with a fruit snack, you won’t feel good about it and it won’t make you feel full. An apple followed by, say, some plain yogurt, will do more to keep you filled than two apples. Have a bit of everything at every meal!

Another thing we hear all the time is that raw food is better – as in healthier – than cooked food. It follows that you have to eat as much raw food as possible. But you are not told that eggplants and beans sometimes harbor toxic compounds that can wreak havoc on your digestive tract if you eat them raw. Many starch containing plants cannot be eaten raw because our bodies do not process that particular type of starch unless transformed by high temperature processing – cooking, that is.

Other veggies, like carrots, contain fragile nutrients that can be destroyed in a frying pan. But cooked carrots still contain tons of great nutrients and vitamins. And no, there is no evidence that sushi is any better for you than grilled salmon. What to do then? Eat a mixture of raw and cooked fruits and veggies, and use common sense. If it’s normally eaten raw, go for it. If it’s usually cooked into a culinary delight, don’t eat it raw.

Diet choices should be made according to your own body’s needs and way of life. It is really of no use to starve yourself or eat disgusting foods just because others said it’s healthy.

PostHeaderIcon How to Lose Weight Fast

If you want to lose weight fast, it is important that you combine a sound diet and the best exercise program to get the results you have always wanted. Consistency and dedication are needed for long term results. You will find that changes do not have to be very drastic, since there are approaches that help your body get accustomed to the new routines.

What to Do with Food

It is vital that you view your eating habits to determine just how much extra you may be consuming. Start by eliminating sources of refined carbs such as white flour, white bread, sugar and pasta. Aim for whole grain types that have the same benefits, but prevent you from getting fat. Shop more whole foods, instead of the usual ones that come in cans, frozen trays and boxes. These tend to be very high in preservatives and chemicals. Sodium is also present in packaged foods, leading to high blood pressure.

More Food and Bulk

Increase your intake of raw foods, since cooked food tends to have decreased nutritional value. Raw foods have a variety of functions, and since these have higher fiber content, digestion in the tract is done in a shorter period of time. The amount of fat-absorption from foods can then be lessened significantly.

Most of the protein you take should come from lean sources like fish and chicken. Chicken must be skinned before cooking, to minimize the total fat. Fish should be eaten more, so you can get more beneficial omega fatty acids. Red meat must be taken sparingly, but be aware that it is a good source of vitamin B12 and iron.

Overall Physical Activity

There is no such thing as spot reduction, so individuals should not exercise their abs solely. Fat is burned evenly throughout the body. Total body workouts are recommended, since you lose stomach fat too as your overall fat percentage decreases. Fat tends to be stored in the stomach area, so unless you get rid of the fat layers covering the muscles, you can never see your abs. Mix abdominal exercises with strength and cardiovascular training.

More on Abs

Core exercises are highly important if you want to have ripped abs. Torso twists and lying crunches are not that effective if you do not do core workouts for the front, back and sides of your body. Strength training is very helpful, since you continue to burn fat up to 48 hours after the workout. The most important thing to get beautiful abs is not to give up. Learn how to adjust your training and routine to stick to your healthy diet and exercise program.

PostHeaderIcon Low Carb Diet to Lose Weight?

Most americans eat too many carbs and do not consume dietary fats, thus having poor health.

High protein low carbohydrate diets were very popular a while back and some people are still using them. Lets take a better look at what they do.

We also notice that many individuals try to cut out carbs as much as possible, which is again a bad idea. The human body will hold around 2.5 grams of water for 1 gram of carbohydrate we consume. If you take the carbs out of your diet you will not hold as much water. Which will make you weigh less but not in a healthful way. To make matters worse, you will not only lose water but you will also have less glycogen in your muscles. Your body will have less energy. Our brain also uses carbohydrates for energy. Not having enough in your system will mean that you brain will not be working efficiently.

Any excess energy will be stored in our bodies as fat and it does not matter if it is an fruit or high cholesterol sauce. Too much is always too much and it does not matter what you eat, you are just putting to much in your body.

Carbs are very important in our diets and they come with vital nutrients that you do not find in other foods. They are needed in small to moderate quantities even if you do not exercise or have a physically demanding job. What is even better, when your muscles are worked the carbs are stored in our muscles and not as fat.

You can eat foods that are high on carbs and still lose weight, but you must use moderation. The problems is always in overdoing everything. Remember that you need carbs and you should focus on whole grains, vegetables, fruits, and beans. Pay attention to how much physical exercise you are getting and eat less carbs only when you do not workout. In days when you exercise, eat more carbohydrates than when you are not exercising. Try to eat some carbs in the meal before you workout for some energy. Just remember not to over do them and to get them from quality sources.

PostHeaderIcon Daiting With a Busy Schedule? 15 Great Ways to Lose Weight Fast

Want to lose weight fast? It’s easy to say goodbye to 10 pounds of unwanted fat with these easy diet tips. Just pay attention to what you eat and be sure to have good tasting, fresh and healthy food including snacks, fill up on vegetables and keep your taste buds happy with fruit.

 

No need to make sacrifices! Just follow these simple guidelines to lose your first 10 pounds, last 10 pounds or give your weight loss program a boost when it seems to have stuttered to a halt. This is a balanced and flexible plan that you can use for as long as you want.

 

1. Keep a note of everything that you eat and drink. You do not need to estimate calories. Just write down what it was that you had and the approximate quantity. You will find that being more aware of what you are eating helps you to plan healthy meals and snacks.

 

2. Halve your intake of all pure or added fats. This means using half as much butter or spread on your bread, toast, muffins and potatoes; half the usual amount of mayonnaise or sauce on your salad; and half the oil in the frypan every time.

 

3. Limit treats containing sugar to three times per week. This includes chocolate, ice cream, desserts, cake, pastries, cookies, etc.

 

4. Include a lower fat source of protein at most meals: chicken, fish, beans, cottage cheese, or low fat yogurt. Have eggs, nuts and red meat occasionally but not every day.

 

5. Plan at least one lunch and dinner every week without meat or cheese. Build those meals around whole grains, vegetables and beans to increase fiber and reduce fat.

 

6. Reduce the fat content in your milk products. If you are currently drinking whole milk, reduce to 2% fat. From 2% reduce to 1%. Choose lower fat cheese and yogurt. When you buy yogurt, also check that it does not contain sugar.

 

7. Have at least two servings of fruit every day. This can be for dessert or snacks. Choose fruit that is in season.

 

8. Drink water instead of sodas, juices, milky drinks or alcohol. Avoid diet soda – the sweet taste only encourages you to crave sugar. Hot water with a slice of lemon can be very refreshing in the morning.

 

9. Include at least two servings of vegetables at lunch and dinner. If you are getting hungry, have more.

 

10. Eat slowly. The body is slow to register when you are full and it is easy to eat too much if you are racing through your meals.

 

11. Grated carrot makes a great snack. You will find that a grated carrot is much more filling than a whole carrot. Strange but true.

 

12. Use whole grains wherever possible. The fiber will give you a fuller feeling and also help your digestion.

 

13. Choose food that you can chew. Again this will increase your fiber intake, and the act of chewing will make you feel more satisfied too. This means eating fruit instead of drinking juice. If you have soup, make sure it is chunky.

 

14. Plan your meals and snacks ahead of time. Plan your shopping too – make a list of what you need and stick to it. If you just grab something when you are feeling hungry, you will probably choose high calorie food.

 

15. Always switch off the TV when you eat. That includes snacks as well as meals. Studies have proved that we eat larger portions in front of the TV, probably because we are much less aware of what we are eating. When you eat, only eat if you want to lose weight fast.

 

PostHeaderIcon Real Facts About Weight Loss Pills

Weight loss pills have always been surrounded by controversy. There are many misconceptions about these medications, specifically with regard to their efficacy and safety. Nevertheless, approximately 50 million people are still using diet pills in order to lose weight. Here are some real facts about weight loss pills that you should know before trying them out.
Efficacy
The first question most people ask when choosing a diet pill is, “Is it effective?” In general, prescription weight loss pills are effective, as these drugs have undergone scientific research and have been proven to result in significant weight loss. However, the exact effects of these pills still vary from person to person. Also, most weight loss pills promise to help you lose weight in a fast and easy manner. Don’t be fooled with these promises. Losing weight requires time and effort. Most experts believe that effective and permanent weight loss is actually gradual and slow, usually losing 0.5 to 2 pounds a week. Also, it is important to remember that although weight loss pills can enhance the amount of weight you lose by up to 10%, not all diet pills will work for everybody. Different weight loss pills act in different ways; it is necessary that you find the right weight loss pill for your eating habits and lifestyle in order for you to lose weight.
Safety
Before taking any weight loss pill, it is important to look into the safety profile of the medication. Any medication can cause adverse effects, especially when they are not taken properly. Some weight loss pills can cause mild side effects, such as diarrhea and fatty stools; others, however, have been linked to more serious adverse reactions, such as increased blood pressure and life-threatening allergies. It is also important to remember that not everyone can take weight loss medications. If you have any medical condition, it may be best to see your doctor first before taking weight loss pills. If you’re already on the medications, a good rule of thumb would be to have yourself monitored by a qualified health professional while you are on the drugs. Follow-up regularly with your physician so that he or she can check if you are developing any side effects, and if the weight loss pill should be continued or stopped.
Weight Loss Program
Diet pills alone will not be able to provide you with effective and permanent weight loss. The intake of these weight loss pills must be combined with a healthy lifestyle in order to help you lose those pounds and keep them off. Most people who take diet pills but do not undergo lifestyle modification simply gain back the weight they lost once they stop taking the pills. In order to prevent this from happening, you must undergo changes in your lifestyle, which should include a balanced and healthy diet, a regular exercise plan and behavior modification. Studies have shown that combining the use of weight loss pills with these lifestyle changes will result in more weight loss than either lifestyle changes or medications alone. When combined, you can lose 5-10% of your original body weight in a year’s time, significantly reducing your risk of developing serious diseases.

PostHeaderIcon Help Your Kids Lose Weight and Become Healthy

If you asking people on how to get your young kids lose unneeded weight then you’ve ran across the right article and you have to go on reading. There are three not hard to understand aspects you can encourage your kids to concentrate on. The first is practicing a healthy eating lifestyle. The second one will be exercising on a day to day basis. Third is having an enjoyable social life. I will talk about the following pointers in detail on the next parts of this article so you must keep on reading. After learning everything written here, you will be able to have your kids lose weight, develop a energetic body and have a healthy well being.Eating habit is the first thing that you should be working on to help your kids stop accumulating excess weight in their body. Cutting back calorie accumulation is one of the things you must have your kids work on. You do not need to be very specific on counting calories. You just have to motivate your kids to cut back on eating foods that are commonly known for having lots of calories. These are starchy foods, junk foods, sweets and fast foods. Add lots of vegetables and fruits on your kids’ meals to boost their metabolism and lose the harmful toxins in their bodies. Work on the diet and almost all parts of the task is already finished.Aside from diet it is important to motivate your kids to exercise on a regular basis. You don’t need to force them to become serious on executing workout routines. Just have them  do some outside activities. An easy thing you can do is have your kids get out of the house with you at the beginning of the day for a refreshing jog. Get your kids to play physical games every afternoon so that they can lose weight while enjoying themselves playing.Let us now talk about having an enjoyable social lifestyle. It will be difficult for your kids to have a healthy well being with the absence of a active social life. Which brings us to the conclusion that, aside from the diet and workout, you need to be enticing your kids to get out of the house often and meet lots of new friends. Not only it will get them to do physical activities that can get them to lose weight, they are also going to acquire a lively well being.It can take a special deal of discipline on your part to always entice your kids into moving on their way up to working themselve to get in shape. With constant fun and work, your kids are going to be fit and healthy. Encourage them to consume nutritious foods to improve their metabolic rate. Encourage them to get involved in physical training on a regular basis and give them the motivation to develop a active social lifestyle. After having your kids do everything written in this article, your kids will become individuals in good fitness condition in matter of weeks.

PostHeaderIcon Starving to lose weight ? Be ready for the consequences

Throughout my carrier I  have come across lot of patients whose major complain is inspite of taking low calorie even after starving for a longer period they are not able to lose,what may be the reason? Most of us think that if we starve or atleast skip some meal  we will lose soon.But this is not true ,at the end of the day you may be able to lose but remember you will regain it very fast.If you are fasting/starving to lose weight , I would say stop it from now onwards.Fasting is seldom prescribe as a treatment for obesity. Rather I would say that better go for proper food choice(see law calorie food)Eventhough  under some special circumstances for eg. to observe religious rituals,fasting should not be continued for longer period.Because it can produce serious neurologic,hormonal,and other side effects in your body.Over 50 percent of the rapid weight reduction is fluid,which often leads to serious hypotension (abnormally low blood pressure) problem.Accumulation of uric acid (an end product of our body’s metabolism process,and a component of urine)can precipitate episodes of gout,gallstones can also occur.

 

 

                         Are you taking very low calorie diet?  Some people are opting for very low calorie diet to lose weight.A diet which provide not more than (200-800 kcal)per day are termed as very low calorie diet.This kind of diet provide very low calorie but  relatively rich in protein(i.e.high biological value protein)and are designed to meet other vitamins and minerals. But there are some specific criteria for the use of very low calorie diet prescribed by American dietetic association.People in general who follow very low calorie diet  by themselves without undergoing the prescription of an expert are at greater risk of accumulating uric acid in their body as well as cardiac complication such as sudden death,they are also susceptible to electrolyte imbalances .(sodium,potassium,chloride and bicarbonate are electrolytes found in our body). For more details visit http://www.health-nutritioninfo.blogspot.com  

 

PostHeaderIcon Using Hypnosis for Weight Loss

Copyright (c) 2008 Mark Albertson

The escalation of obesity rates in this country has sparked a flurry of activity among both serious researchers and charlatans to discover the perfect weight loss method. A recent study of four diets revealed that the key to weight loss success isn’t the diet, but how closely you follow it. Investigators from Tufts-New England Medical Center (Journal of the American Medical Association, January 2005) have determined in a study of four popular diets that the key to successful weight loss is not the diet itself, but actually following the diet. In this one-year study of 160 overweight adults, the researchers split people into four diet groups:

· Weight Watchers (low calorie)

· The Zone Diet (low glycemic index)

· The Ornish Diet (low fat)

· The Atkins Diet (low carb)

The conclusion of the investigation was that all of these diets worked when the participants in the study followed them. The problem is that less than one in four were able to stay on their given diet for just this one year.

It should be noted that the hardest diet to follow was Atkins, followed by the Ornish Diet, but according to the authors of the study, “no single diet produced satisfactory adherence rates.” Hypnosis has been recognized as a both a method for helping people to adhere to their diets, and for re-training the mind to “think” like a lean person, in order to be able to give up dieting completely and to develop healthy eating habits that parallel the eating habits of lean people.

That being said, wild and exaggerated claims abound regarding hypnosis as it one of the more appealing methods dangled before the eyes of those who are hungry for a seemingly easy solution to a complex problem.

A careful review of the scientific literatures exposes many of the claims about weight loss through hypnosis on the internet as overly optimistic at best and openly fraudulent at worst.

Considerable controversy swirls around the mechanisms by which hypnosis actually contributes to weight loss. Leon (1976) suggested that hypnosis can help obese people team new healthier eating patterns and retain them. One author remarked that the hypnotic state is characterized by heightened concentration, suggestibility, and relaxation (Mott, 1982). Certain individuals are thought to be capable of achieving this state more readily than others. A so-called hypnotic “induction” whereby a hypnotist using certain procedures to bring an individual into the hypnotic state is not a prerequisite for achieving the state (Mott, 1982). Hypnosis, contrary to the claims of some intemet advertisers cannot magically reprogram people’s minds. In short, methods of hypnosis run the gamut from simple relaxation techniques to formal inductions administered by hypnotists, but should not be considered supernatural in its effects.

Studies showing weight loss as a result of hypnosis alone are few in number and suffer from methodological problems. Andersen (1985) reported that following 8 weekly treatment sessions and 12 weeks of practicing self-hypnosis subjects lost an average of 20.2 pounds. Cochrane and Friesen (1986) concluded that moderate weight loss was obtained by subjects using hypnosis. The experimental group, lost more weight than the controls and maintained the weight loss at a six month follow-up.

Mott (1982) stated that “although hypnosis is sometimes referred to as a method of treatment, it is more accurate to regard hypnosis as a facilitator of a number of different treatment methods.” The study concludes that the use of hypnosis for a moderate weight loss is effective using hypnotherapy. Hypnosis Plus Behavioral Weight Management A number of studies indicate that hypnosis combined with a behavioral weight management program contributes significantly to weight loss. Bolocofsky, Spinler, and Coulthard-Morris (1985) revealed that the addition of hypnosis to a behavioral program designed to alter eating patterns increased the amount of weight loss at 8-month and 2year follow-ups. Both the behavioral and hypnosis programs were tailored to each subject individually in the study. Bolocofsky et al. (1984) acknowledged that “the less a person weighed at the start of the program the more likely he was to lose weight and maintain the reduction”. Hypnosis combined with behavioral weight management seems to be more effective for small amounts of weight loss. Another study of 45 females found that supplementing a basic self-management program with hypnosis resulted in a slightly greater amount of weight loss at a 3-month follow-up (Barabasz and Spiegel, 1989). The group for which individualized hypnotic suggestions were developed lost more weight than those exposed only to a group procedure. Kirsch (1996) noted a weight loss of 6.00 pounds without hypnosis and 11.83 pounds with hypnosis based on a meta-analysis of six studies. Allison and Faith (1996), however, disagreed and maintained that hypnosis only enhances cognitive-behavioral psychotherapy slightly if at all. Long-term individualized hypnosis combined with a behavioral weight management program appears to contribute to modest weight loss and helps maintain it.

Hypnosis operates mainly as a way to increase participants’ attention to suggestions of behavioral programs as well as to reinforce their weight loss. Studies using behavioral treatments successfully “typically have developed incentive systems to bridge the gap between the short-term -reinforcers provided during treatment and long-term goal of weight reduction” (Bolocofsky et al., 1985). Hypnosis can fulfill this role by stepping in as a psychological reinforcer. Hypnosis may assist subjects in learning positive eating behaviors and creating healthy long-term patterns of food intake. Subjects are then more likely to incorporate the rules of a particular program into their behavioral regimes (Bolocofsky, 1985). Kroger (1970) points out the similarities between hypnosis and behavioral treatments which share an emphasis on visualization and imagination. The literature suggests that hypnosis is an ideal addition to behavioral weight management programs which tend to need supplementation to achieve long-term results.

The Hodgepodge Problem in Weight Loss Studies The use of subjects of varying ages and backgrounds represents one challenge that plagues studies of hypnosis as a useful treatment for weight loss. Andersen (1985) utilized subjects ranging in age from 21-56 years, a considerable spread. Subjects in another study ranged in age from 17 to 67 resulting in considerable potential differences between the control group and the hypnosis group (Bolocofsky et al., 1985). The fact that subjects were not matched with regard to age could exaggerate results of weight loss as a result of hypnosis that may more accurately be attributed to age differences. McCabe, Jupp, and Collins (I985) suggested a tendency for younger women to drop out of weight loss programs relative to older women leading to a possible masking of potential effects of age. Bolocofsky et al. (1984) indicated that successful hypnotic weight loss participants were higher in self-control, weighed less at the start of the study, married, and more expressive. A wide variety of factors influence whether a given subject will lose weight through a hypnotic weight loss program. Anderson (1985) cites the absence of matched subjects as a weakness in her experiment. More studies with subjects closely matched on various characteristics should be conducted to substantiate claims about the effectiveness of hypnosis for weight loss when combined with a behavioral program.

Most studies require weekly consultation with a hypnotist for 8 weeks or more in addition to self-hypnosis (Bolocofsky et al., 1984; Bolocofsky et al., 1985, Andersen, 1985; Cochrane & Friesen, 1986; McCabe et al., 1985). Internet advertisers who claim weight loss will occur following a single hypnotic session, especially a group hypnotic session, are frauds selling dreams to desperate customers. Allison and Faith (1996) underscore that “there is currently no panacea for the treatment of obesity and hypnosis is no exception”. Treatment using hypnosis then is not a quick and easy way out of weight troubles. In order to achieve any benefits from its use, hypnosis must be practiced on a regular basis for a significant period of time.

Conclusions and Limitations

Hypnosis has been shown to be an effective treatment for low to moderate amounts of weight loss. One qualification of this statement is that the hypnotic program should be tailored to each individual. Hypnosis is a process by which an individual enters a state of relaxation and heightened suggestibility, Transformation of the brain through some mysterious process defines only the hypnosis of pseudoscientists. Quick-fix hypnosis is probably much less effective than an 8 week program using both in-session hypnosis, at-home self-hypnosis, and behavioral weight management. The only people who claim hypnosis is easy, simple, and quick are those trying to sell people on their program. The largest obstacle in weight loss is its long-term retention, but follow-ups of hypnosis as a weight loss treatment have been conducted at the longest after two years. Weight loss tapes lack scientific evidence to support their success and should be purchased with this knowledge in mind. Weight loss through hypnosis has been largely ignored by scientists and more studies with control groups and large subject pools are required to understand its action and import.

PostHeaderIcon A Diet Buddy Can Help You Lose Weight

Are you looking for a diet plan that helps you lose weight, then
you should look for the help of a diet buddy. A diet buddy is a
friend or co worker who your partner with to help each other
lose weight. Many fitness experts know that if you have to
account for your actions to a friend and yourself you are much
more likely to stick to it and successfully lose weight.

Picking a diet buddy isn’t hard but it isn’t easy either. You
need to find someone who you can trust and who is honest with
you. You need someone who will tell you the two big Macs you had
for dinner last night wasn’t a good choice, but won’t tear you
apart either. You should find a person who has similar weight
loss goals. If you want to lose 15 pounds and your buddy wants
to lose 65 you aren’t that compatible. You should avoid choosing
someone you live with if possible. The constant interaction and
monitoring will make you feel like your every move is being
watched. Instead try to choose a co worker or close friend to
help you out.

You should also choose a diet buddy who you will see regularly.
A really great strategy is to meet at the gym every morning and
go for breakfast afterward. This way you can compare and talk
about what’s going on and how you are progressing. If breakfast
doesn’t work lunch is another good alternative. If you have a
regular lunch date it will be much easier for you to say no when
the office goes for Buffalo wings and nachos every Friday.

You and your diet buddy should set goals and rewards for each
other. When you hit a weight goal go out and celebrate.
Celebrate by shopping for a new outfit that shows off your
weight loss, not by going out for a cheeseburger and milkshake.
Remember you and your buddy are working together to help each
other reach your goals you aren’t competing with each other. If
you can shop for a new dress size or bathing suit don’t be smug
about it to your diet buddy. Be supportive and help them,
realize everyone’s body is different and some people take longer
to lose weight