Diet - How to Stick To It?

not2l8 · 04-15-2009, 06:18 AM

I have made it my goal to focus on dropping 10 lbs (minimum) in the next 30 to 60 days so I took a good hard look at my diet and saw that I am consuming too many carbs. I started a diet that I plan to stick to until these 10 lbs are gone. As with working out, my problem has always been staying consistent. What advice is out there for staying consistent - how have you stayed on target with your diet? I've already learned that taking the time to have my food ready for the next day is a huge part of being successful.

Capt_Lou · 04-15-2009, 06:43 AM

You just have to want it enough. No excuses or I will start tomorrow crap!

If you are not ready mentally then you will fail everytime.

afterguard · 04-15-2009, 06:50 AM

Mental toughness. I use the mirror, this website, old pictures and such when I'm feeling a little lazy. Don't cheat and/or skip workouts. It can easily start a trend. No retreat/no Surrender when it comes to bodyfat.

SP1966 · 04-15-2009, 06:57 AM

Just do it... you are not a kid anymore, if you want it do the work!

04-15-2009, 07:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Capt_Lou

You just have to want it enough. No excuses or I will start tomorrow crap!

If you are not ready mentally then you will fail everytime.

This.......

Kate1 · 04-15-2009, 07:16 AM

Write down everything you put in your mouth. Helps keep me on track, and mindful of food.

thomasale · 04-15-2009, 07:20 AM

I make myself use fitday.com

not2l8 · 04-15-2009, 08:50 AM

Good advice. The battle is mental.

Capt_Lou · 04-15-2009, 08:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by not2l8

Good advice. The battle is mental.

Yeppers

If your head is not on stright and you can't fight the urges and temptations to eat you will fail every time. Also being very patient helps.

ironwill2008 · 04-15-2009, 10:09 AM

It's simple. Decide what's more important to you, then abide by that decision.

micro wave · 04-15-2009, 10:13 AM

Fill up on greens and water if your struggling.

I am about to embark on this again soon. Man I hate it.

RDFinders · 04-15-2009, 10:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by micro wave

Fill up on greens and water if your struggling.

I am about to embark on this again soon. Man I hate it.

sugar-free jello helps too for cravings and helping you feel fuller after meals. during the last stages of prep for me, i will eat 2 containers of vegan sugar-free gelatin to fill up after meals.

crupiea · 04-15-2009, 10:29 AM

Plan out a menu for the entire week, not just for the next day. That way you will have some choices of what to eat tomorrow. If you are out the door on the way to work and you realize you dont have the right foods then thats the perfect chance to cheat.

If you are prepared, this wont happen.

snoack · 04-15-2009, 10:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by not2l8

I have made it my goal to focus on dropping 10 lbs (minimum) in the next 30 to 60 days so I took a good hard look at my diet and saw that I am consuming too many carbs. I started a diet that I plan to stick to until these 10 lbs are gone. As with working out, my problem has always been staying consistent. What advice is out there for staying consistent - how have you stayed on target with your diet? I've already learned that taking the time to have my food ready for the next day is a huge part of being successful.

do or do not...there is no try...

GreenWave1 · 04-15-2009, 11:01 AM

Congratulations on wanting to change your waistline. If you really want to get results and have them stick, you need to make this a lifestyle change. It's not just about losing 20 pounds, it's about changing the way you live. It will take time to completely convert your diet, but stay focused and avoid backsliding. There will come a time when you look at unhealthy food as poison and have no desire whatsoever to eat it. You will seek out brocolli and spinach because it make your body feel good. It is mental. You need to retrain your brain. You picked up your bad habits over time and it will take time to undo them.

Stick with it and be strong. You CAN do this.

not2l8 · 04-15-2009, 04:02 PM

Planning food for the entire week. Better than just a day ahead. Less likely to stumble. Good advice. And, "do or do not but don't try" or whatever that quote was. That is the mindset I need. As of right now, that is the mindset I have!

egoatdoor · 04-15-2009, 04:14 PM

Very simple. I only "diet" 14 weeks out of the year.

The rest of the year I enjoy food, mainly clean, but bad stuff in moderation when I want to. I don't deprive myself. Then when it comes time to "buckle down", its easy. The mirror is also a great motivator.

7399martyn · 04-16-2009, 01:26 AM

jules_d1 wrote a good article on how to stay on the wagon

http://forum.bodybuilding.com/showth...hp?t=109654391

brava · 04-16-2009, 01:40 AM

it's easier than you think....

eat only clean stuff and watch your total caloric intake....and use fitday.com...excellent tool.

if you eat only clean stuff, sometimes you will even struggle to eat enough to reach your total caloric for the day..strange huh??

MT_Pawkits · 04-16-2009, 04:13 AM

It's easy if you want it.

I prefer not to think of it as dieting just a change in eating habits.

Diet sounds like a sentence in hell. lol

KlaarBody · 04-16-2009, 04:58 PM

In addition to what others have suggested maybe try cutting out all sugar, both fake and real. I find that as soon as I put some sugar in my body my cravings go through the roof, and they are actually worse with the fake sugar than the normal sugar.

Enduro · 04-16-2009, 05:09 PM

I stumbled across this site recently and found it to be a wealth of good solid info that's backed up buy science. Check out the article section.

http://www.bodyrecomposition.com/

Mr. Someday · 04-16-2009, 05:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RDFinders

sugar-free jello helps too for cravings and helping you feel fuller after meals. during the last stages of prep for me, i will eat 2 containers of vegan sugar-free gelatin to fill up after meals.

I agree on the SF jello (except I only like the kind made from meat!! lol). I also utilize pickles as a free food and chew a lot of SF gum!

stayfit2008 · 04-16-2009, 06:28 PM

By asking questions like these in here

bebeklein · 04-16-2009, 07:08 PM

Like others said, tracking your food and planning meals ahead of time.

I also don't eat styrofoam. My food has to be healthy AND taste good.

For the most part I clean during the week; but eating out and drinking are my biggest challenges. So I'll eat something ahead of time and I drink lo cal bevs like white wine or champagne, or a drink that I can't polish off in 15 minutes, like vodka on the rocks w/lemon juice.

Also I would go bonkers if I didn't have desserts, so I've come up with a few that satisfy my cravings. I'll mostly take some kind of fruit - like bananas, frozen peaches, sliced pears, or apples - and sautee in EVOO spray for 5 minutes. Then sprinkle with cinnamon and stevia.

I think it boils down to planning.

And things won't be 100% perfect for 30-60 days. I agree with egoatdoor...some things on occasion and in moderation and don't deprive yourself.

Good luck! And once you see some progress it serves as motivation. You're likely to stick to your gameplan once you see some results.

RDFinders · 04-16-2009, 07:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr. Someday

I agree on the SF jello (except I only like the kind made from meat!! lol). I also utilize pickles as a free food and chew a lot of SF gum!

lol! but the regular kind isn't made from meat - it is actually made from undigestale parts of the animal, usually swine hides.

oilerfan780 · 04-16-2009, 08:15 PM

You have recieved all the advice you need on in this thread. The only thing i can say in addition to what the others have is this:
"If you F^$K up one day, don't quit!, just keep on keepin on"

bebeklein · 04-16-2009, 08:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RDFinders

lol! but the regular kind isn't made from meat - it is actually made from undigestale parts of the animal, usually swine hides.

mmmkay no more jello shots 4 me

bebeklein · 04-16-2009, 08:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oilerfan780

You have recieved all the advice you need on in this thread. The only thing i can say in addition to what the others have is this:
"If you F^$K up one day, don't quit!, just keep on keepin on"

TOTALLY agree with this. Chances are you are going to need to read #7 & #8, especially 8. http://www.naturalphysiques.com/cms/index.php?catid=6 I think we've all been in that position at 1 point or another.

10 lbs in 60 days is very ambitious for someone your size...I don't thinks it's realistic to set that as your minimum goal.

warped · 04-17-2009, 11:54 AM

I have lived by the old addage "if you fail to plan then you plan on failing".

Saturday after the gym I write up all the meals, breakfast, lunch, dinner and all snacks.

I then make a list of everything I need and go grocery shopping. I only buy what is on this list, nothing additional.

Sunday afternoon I grill my chicken for lunch and prepare any snacks I can.

Then I know i have everything ready to go. I know what's for dinner each night so I can be sure to stick to my calories.