We are still early in the month, and many of us want to lose weight or burn fat. We may think about dieting to lose weight, and that’s a good first step. No matter how much you work out, you need to have a diet that matches.
However, many diets fail, and it’s easy to see why. There’s so much information out there, from debating the healthiness of mozzarella to all about chili powder substitutes. And there’s so many diets and so much information that it makes anyone’s head spin.
Here are some ways to stick to a diet in 2020.
1. Pick a Diet Best for You
There are many diets, and it’s all subjective. Some just eat normally and cut their portions. Others may try keto. Some may fast. You may go on a vegan diet. The truth is that there’s no correct diet. Think of a diet as prescription medicine, something that different people respond to in unique ways. It may take a few tries before you get the right diet for you.
Don’t feel pressured to try one diet over another, and don’t feel ashamed if someone says the diet you’re following isn’t good. As long as it’s working for you, that’s all that matters.
2. Slow and Steady
Some people like to jump into a diet without any transition. It works for some, taking off the training wheels, but for most, it’s intimidating and makes you want to revert to your old way of eating.
Take it slow. If your plan is to track calories, track how much you eat and try to cut it little by little. If you’re going keto, eat one less carb food a day. This can help you adjust to your new diet much easier.
3. Don’t Use Mistakes as An Excuse
With a diet, we all make mistakes. Sometimes, you’re out with friends and re tempted to get something fatty, or your favorite fast food place is offering a unique treat you can’t miss. When you slip up once, you may keep messing up as a justification. You may say it’s your cheat day. However, your cheat day can lead to a cheat week, and so on. It’s important you don’t go down that slippery slope. Having a day to cheat isn’t bad, but be consistent.
4. Accountability
Having someone to keep you accountable is a great way to stick to your diet. Be it a friend, a spouse, or another person, someone to remind you to stick to your diet and encourage you when you do well can help. You also need someone who can hold yourself accountable if you mess up, but they shouldn’t be too hard on you.
Sometimes, you may need to be the person who holds yourself accountable. Self-discipline can work, but many aren’t that skilled at it. Seeking the help of a counselor can not only give you a person to hold you accountable, but they can teach you how not to give in to temptation. Searching for “counseling near me” should give you a counselor who can help you stick to your diet.
5. Keep Track
In the age where everyone has a smartphone, there’s no excuse not to track your diet. Whether it’s writing down your goals and your path to them, or keeping up a log of your caloric intake, keeping track is an accountability tool and a way to see progress. If there’s any regression, it can be easier for you to figure out what you did wrong and how you can fix it.
Be Healthy in All Other Areas
Besides dieting, being healthy in all other parts of life can make it easier to adjust to your new diet. Working out, getting your daily vitamins, and getting enough sleep every night are just a few ways you can help yourself. Sleep is especially important, as sleeping too little can make you hungry and make you gain weight.
These are just a few ways you can stick to a diet. If you want to lose some weight, we wish you the best, and remember, it’s a long process and no one gets it right their first try.
