Weight Loss Tips & Product Reviews

In the first 4 parts of this series we took a look at why 95% of diets fail. We looked at the fact that most people fail because of their mental state. Just realizing this will dramatically help your chances of succeeding on a diet. However, there are some very specific ways to achieve permanent dieting success.

In fact, there are 7 ways, and we’ll take a look at all of them right now.

1. Set a Goal and Stick to it
In any part of your life, with anything, you won’t be successful unless you set a very clear goal. Along with setting the goal you also need to make a plan that will allow you to achieve that goal. Obviously, the actual diet should be a major part of the plan. But you also need to set milestones and smaller goals that you can reach on the way to achieving your ultimate goal.

Your ultimate goal should include reaching your ideal weight and might also include how you want to physically look (just make sure you are realistic with this part of your goal).

In order to make your plans and goals a reality, write them down. Write down every single detail. The more detailed you get the more likely you are to stick with that plan and to reach those goals.

Speaking of writing, it’s also a great idea to start a log or a diary and to write down your daily progress. As part of your log/diary, write down any mistakes you make and all the cravings you have. This will allow you to learn how to diet and to get better at it as you go. It will also allow you to see the progress you are making over time, which will give you encouragement to keep going.

You also want to make sure you have a plan for what you’ll do when certain food cravings hit. What will you think? What will you do? Come up with the answers to these questions and also keep “emergency foods” on hand to help satiate the cravings.

Finally, you’re plan should also include drinking plenty of water. Often, we mistake thirst for hunger. So make sure your body is plenty hydrated at all times.

Once you have a plan and a goal, then you simply need to stick with it. Don’t’ allow yourself to give up. These next six tips will help you with sticking to your diet.

2. Plan to Fail
That’s right! You need to plan to fail.

While this might sound strange or even wrong at first, when you stop to think about it, planning to fail makes a lot of sense and it’s absolutely necessary.

As we mentioned a little earlier, nobody is perfect. You will “cheat” on your diet and you will have a couple times (hopefully not too many) when you don’t stick to your diet. When this happens simply follow your plan to get right back to your diet. Learn from you mistake and move on. Don’t allow yourself to be too guilty or to feel like a failure.

As part of planning to fail, you obviously need to have a plan for what you will do to get right back on your diet. This plan should include what you will physically do and what you will mentally think and how you will make yourself feel.

(Hint: You should feel positive at the opportunity to learn from your mistake and to move forward with your diet.) Then when you do fail you won’t overreact and make things worse, you’ll simply get right back on the diet and move forward.

This isn’t to say that you should automatically fail when the temptation arises. In fact, you should try as hard as you can to always stick with your diet. Every time you face a challenge and overcome it, you will be stronger and more likely to overcome the next challenge that arises.

Part 6 in this series will continue on with the 7 ways to permanent dieting success.