Weight loss plans

Jumpstarting Your New Diet Plan

So, now that another year has rolled around, and youve added that "lose weight" resolution to your list, lets make a good, solid plan to get it right this time, shall we? Instead of approaching it like a quick, flash in the pan impulse, which will only fade out as the weeks of the year slip by, lets set a solid foundation to get you going and keep you on your plan.

First of all, what is your plan? Is it centered around a popular diet, a change of eating habits, cutting out specific things from your diet, or is it going to be more about portion control.

When youre getting ready to embark upon a diet, some thorough preparation is in order if you want to achieve results that are lasting. You will need to start with some small steps first.

First and foremost, youll need to change the way you think about food.

Too many of us use food as comfort, pleasure, a way to ease boredom, to deal with loneliness, a way to socialize, and a substitute for whatever we feel is missing in our lives and selves. What you have to remind yourself of is that food is fuel for your body. Its meant to nourish your body and keep all its systems running like the machine it is. Foods purpose also is to provide you with the energy needed to accomplish lifes daily tasks. Food is your fuel. The fact that its also enjoyable? Thats a good thing, but dont let yourself get carried away! While good food can certainly be pleasurable to the senses, you cant allow it to become a happy drug for you.

Using food to comfort yourself because of stress and disappointments you may encounter daily in life is not the answer. If you have some issues that need resolving, get to work on those things as soon as you can. Find other outlets for your stress and emotional issues that dont involve eating. Then youll begin to have more control over bad impulse eating.

Revamp your pantry and fridge.

Before your diet begins, you will need to go into your kitchen and get rid of all the bad food choices that usually get you in trouble. Donate it, give it away, put it all in a box marked "free food", and place it somewhere outside where people will be sure to see it. Then, make sure not to buy any of that stuff again.Shop for your diet. Get the foods and ingredients you will need for your plan ahead of time.

If your plan is fresh fruit and fresh veggie heavy, be prepared to make those extra trips to stay stocked up on what you need. If you can, substitute frozen and canned instead, so you can keep the necessary elements of your eating plan handy.

Dont buy the no nos like junk food, calorie laden snacks and munchies.

If its in your house, theres a chance that youre going to eat it in your weakest moments. Head that one off at the pass by not having it available to you.

Eliminate excess prep time and make it easier for yourself by preparing some of your meals and snacks ahead of time.

Put them and/or the prepped ingredients in the fridge or freezer so you can pop them right in the oven or microwave, and also whip up quick meals that dont take alot of time. This will come in handy on the days when youre too tired to cook or put together a meal.

Prepare ahead of time for social functions and eating out.

Knowing that you will be attending social functions where calorie rich food choices will be abundantly available, prepare ahead of time by eating something before leaving the house, and drink lots of water both before, during and after the social event. At the event, stick to your new eating mindset, making the smart choices instead of just going along with the crowd. Grilled chicken beats fried or honey dipped. Grilled meat skewers beat fried calamari. Raw or grilled vegetables over fried. Stuffed mushrooms trump cheese laden nachos. Skip the rich dips and sauces. And watch your alcohol intake. Remember, alcohol has nice little hidden calories that are easy to forget. Rum and diet coke, anyone?

Remember, when youre on that scale and in the mirror, its going to be you there by yourself, not your friends or colleagues. Take responsibility for what you put in your own mouth. Its all on you. Literally.

This is a hard one, but it will help you to avoid impulse binging.

Throw away those take out food menus.

The Chinese, Italian, pizza, etc. Sooner or later, youre going to face cravings for some of that calorie rich take out food youve always known and loved, and when you dont find it in the fridge, you might be tempted to whip out your favorite takeout menu and go to town. Eliminate that pitfall by taking it completely out of the equation.

Last, but not least, dont "wait until Monday" to start this new healthier eating mindset.

The moment you decide on your diet, start working on your discipline by cutting out the fatty choices, eliminating sugary and carb loaded snacks, and begin to implement portion control days before you begin your actual diet. Also increase your water intake. Do not go on an all out "last binge" of all the fattening foods you love before the diet, because that will only make it feel like a more drastic change for you when the diet actually begins. Then, itll seem harder to you, and youll be more likely to cheat. Start to slip into your new eating habits slowly, days ahead of time. Then when that first day of actual dieting comes, youll be so ready.

Print these rules out and put them on your fridge, or anywhere that you will see them often. You will need to remind yourself of these things to stay on track.

Seeing successful results from any diet plan requires determination, discipline and good preparation. You now have the tools to not only do it, but to do it well!

Get going, and good luck on your new journey!

Good health and fitness to you!

You can get more weight loss and fitness tips by Yvonne Bridges at thefitnessdiva.blogspot.com thefitnessdiva.blogspot.com Yvonne is a top fitness instructor and ex Golden Gloves champion boxer living in New York City. She also authors the website CelebrityDietsandFitness.net CelebrityDietsandFitness.net