Dieting Advice

How do you know good dieting advice when you hear it? What's the difference between sound, objective dieting advice, and a sales pitch for a new fad diet programme?

At the end of the day, no matter how much dieting advice you listen to, the only person who is going to be able to keep you motivated to lose weight is you. So here are some pointers to help you examine your own motivation, and separate the bad guidance from the good.

What is the source of your decision to start a weight loss programme? The reason you decide to lose weight will have a big effect on how successful you are. It may also affect how safely you approach losing weight.

Some reasons for starting a weight loss plan:

Body image

If your decision to try to lose weight is really about wanting to look better in your bikini in six weeks time, then you might be tempted to embark on a crash diet that could be harmful to your health. It's important to be realistic in your approach to weight loss, but as long as you're following a medically approved diet and exercise plan, body image can be a positive motivation.

Social acceptance

Do you sometimes feel under pressure to look the same as the people around you, to fit in socially? This is a less positive motivation for losing weight. By saying "I want to look like her" you are setting your goals outside yourself, which creates an unrealistic target and sets you up for failure. You'll never look like someone else. Instead, it's much better to direct your goals towards yourself, so that you can value the progress you make, and enjoy the body you achieve.