The 7 biggest diet excuses and how to get past them!
Wednesday 10 October 2012
If we received a pound every time we heard the words “I can’t, I’m on a diet” we'd would be writing this from a private island Richard Branson would be jealous of.
If it seems as if every one is far more health conscious nowadays, you could be right and statistics seem to confirm this as a recent study from the BBC found that one in four adults – note, men and women – are on a diet ‘almost all of the time’.
So what is the principal reason for a lifestyle being dominated by food? Jenny Catlin, a consumer analyst, said: "Many people are now watching their weight because they are more knowledgeable about the effects of their diet on their health and general well-being".
"But on top of this 'cosmetic' slimming has become big business. Today more and more people are dieting for aesthetic reasons…".
Of course, there is certainly nothing wrong with the desire to take care of your health and wellbeing and indeed your image. After all, your body is a temple and all that.
The key to success is to embark upon a healthy lifestyle that is easy to maintain which is why here at Closer Online, we have picked the 7 most common excuses not to diet and we’ve thought of 7 comebacks so there are absolutely no excuses!
Excuse number 1: “I work hard, I can’t be bothered to cook a healthy meal when I get in!”
At the end of a busy day, you are bound to feel completely shattered but simple preparation is all you need. Instead of grilling just one chicken, grill several and prepare salads, sandwiches and a stir-fry.
Remember when you were at university and your mum would give you food in Tupperware to freeze? Enough said.
Excuse number 2: ‘’I’m always hungry!’’
You know you’re hungry because your brain tells you that you are but what happens when the signals are misread? Dietician Lyndel Costain told the Daily Express that hunger isn’t the only trigger for eating. She advises that when you begin to feel hungry, mentally assess how hungry you actually are on a scale of 1 to 5. If it’s below 3, you could be bored, stressed or simply perpetuating a habit.
Excuse number 3: “I’m never going to look like Kelly Brook so what’s the point?’’
The sad truth is, the vast majority of us will never look like Kelly Brook (a fact which we’ve just about come to terms with) but the secret is to set attainable goals so that you can be the best version of you.
This means setting short-term goals, such as starting an exercise class with a few friends once a week and slowly building up your routine to twice a week and so forth. Try the weight tracker tool at shapesmart.co.uk/tools for advice on realistic goals.
Excuse number 4: ‘’I can’t stop thinking about chocolate cake’’
It’s that old over used but under practiced saying again, ‘‘everything in moderation’’. You should never completely deprive yourself of anything or you run the very probable risk of giving up and bingeing. Have a small amount of what you desire, one square of chocolate for example or a spoonful of your favourite cake. The term bite size has never been more appropriate.
Excuse number 5: ‘’I’m going out for dinner and I don’t want to be the only one eating a boring salad’’
No one wants to be eating a few lettuce leaves whilst your friend opposite you scoffs a whole pizza to herself. There’s no need to throw in the proverbial towel just yet…instead, use it to wipe your mouth after a tasty meal. Many restaurants have low calorie options such as thin crust pizza with low fat cheese or grilled foods instead of fried. Try to have less dressing on your salad, pass on the bread and stick to low fat, high protein options such as chicken and fish.
Excuse number 6: ‘’I’m used to super sized portions’’
Even if your plate is full of healthy options, you still need to carefully manage your portions. Research from the University of Pennsylvania found that we can eat up to 25% less without noticing a difference in our hunger. Also, brush up on your fractions knowledge by filling up half of your plate with vegetables and the other half split between carbohydrates and protein.
Excuse number 7: “I’m not seeing any results yet, I want to give up!”
You’ve heard it before but we’ll say it again; healthy eating is a way of life, not a quick fix to get in to that body-con dress. Be realistic and patient, eat in moderation, drink plenty of water and leave the scales to one side. Your clothes will let you know as you begin to lose weight.
Above all else, try to maintain a balanced lifestyle including your friends, family and work and before you know it, healthy eating will soon become a part of life. Just be prepared to hear ‘‘you’re looking well’’ from every soul you meet.
We might not want to believe it, but party season is only around the corner! With only 83 days to go until the festive season gets into full swing, Closer Diets have launched their Perfect Party Dress plan to ensure you have enough time to look your best and dazzle at all those pre-Christmas dos. Lose up to a stone and wear your party dress with confidence this year for just £18!