Starting a diet has many challenges. Personally, I think many obstacles can be reduced with advanced planning. Here are some ideas that you can use to get your weight loss off to a great start.
Most diet authorities caution against restrictive diets and with good reason. You can’t live on cabbage soup or shakes for the long term. However, many of these diets can be used for a very short period, say three or four days. These diets have gained popularity because they lead to very quick weight loss. Why not start your dieting with one of them, and then move on to a more balanced program. A friend of mine used to do three days with well-known weight loss shakes. She found that this had two advantages. She lost weight quickly, and when she moved to a more balanced diet, she felt as if she had gone off a diet rather than having started a new one.
Plan a head. Get rid of as many of the tempting foods in your house as possible. Yes, your husband and kids will want their treats, but if possible, get them to keep them in a separate place. Plan good recipes and make sure you have the ingredients on hand. If you can afford it, some companies will deliver meals. Plan for special occasions and eating out. If a major event is coming up, decide if and how much you will deviate from your diet.
Drink plenty of water. Fruit juices and flavored water are expensive and loaded with calories. Even diet soft drinks are not especially good for you. Water is inexpensive and flushes your whole system out.
Do not starve yourself. Eat three regular meals and two to three snacks, or six small meals. You don’t want your body to go into starvation mode and conserve energy.