Dieting tools that may be helpful!
By ahgong
@ahgong (10064)
Singapore
February 25, 2009 2:03am CST
All of us want to lose weight for some reason or another.
It could be to look better. Or to fit into that smaller sized clothing. Or even for health reasons.
Losing weight is a commitment that we all want to follow. But to just jump right into it is not the way to go.
We need to get organized. And in order to get organized, there is a need to create a system. One which will help you to both track your achievements and at the same time, encourage you to stick to your dieting plans.
Here are some tools that you may want to consider using when you depart on your dieting quest!
1) Weight Tracker: Create a chart with some simple graph to track your weight as you shed pounds and head towards your ideal weight.
Best if you can point out some goals on the chart. Like numerous weight loss targets.
The ones which you can easily achieve. Sort of like a mile stone along the way to reach your target. And then device some sort of reward system to celebrate each mile stone achieved. It could be a treat to the movie. Or a spa or something to make you feel good about achieving your milestone and taking another step closer to the desired weight target.
2) Meal Planner: This is one which I personally found to be pretty useful. Remember my motto towards dieting? It is to substitute and replace rather than deprive and abstain. Planning your meals ahead will allow you to know exactly what each meal consist of. And if possible, replace or substitute those with high Glucose index with some thing lower.
You can choose to plan a week a head. Otherwise, just a day a head will do just fine.
3) Support: Rope in your spouse or a love one to go on the diet with you. You can never belittle the kind of support you get from someone when you are on a diet. Any form of support, encouragement will help you along the way, especially on those days when your discipline is waning and you have seconds thoughts about staying on the diet.
If you can, join any forums that have people also on diets to share your ideas, thoughts and anguish over what you are doing towards materializing your goal of losing weight!
Mylot is just one of those social sites that you can come to!
4) Personal Journal: This is sort of like a diary. One where you can record your thoughts, struggles, triumphs when reaching for each milestone along the way.
Blog it if you can. And then share it with the many bloggers who are also chronicling their dieting experience.
5) Shopping List: This can be easily compiled from your meal planner.
6) Food guides: There are plenty of food guides that you can refer to. Spending some time on the internet will allow you to know what are the foods that are high in glucose Index and what it can be substituted with.
When in doubt, google it! You will be surprised at the wealth of information that is readily available at your finger tips.
With that, I sincerly wish you a happy journey towards your goal of getting your desired weight!
1 person likes this
3 responses
@kun2349 (23381)
• Singapore
26 Feb 09
YEah, it's really important to do some planning when it comes to weight loss programmes.. IT's a long term thing and thus one cant really rush into it.. For the faster one wishes to loss weight, they will only end up gaining more in the future ^_^
Weight tracker is a good part of planning because it breaks down our ultimate goals and make it not seem so far away.. In a way, we are preparing ourselves mentally too, and once we see some results, we will automatically feel good too ^_^ However, one should not let those small weight losses get to their head as that might be a cause for their failure too.. hehe ^_^
As for meal planning and replacement, it's too much of a hassle, and one can actaully still lose weight without doing all those things.. hehe ^_^ But support by family members or spouse is definitely important because nobody likes to be 'working' alone ^_^
1 person likes this
@ahgong (10064)
• Singapore
26 Feb 09
Hey, thanks for the vote of confidence.
It is really nice to see some one appreciating the art of dieting as well.
I guess in order not to deal with the meal planning, one can always try to exercise to achieve the same result.
As long as the consumed calories are less than the burnt calories, it wills till work.
But for some people, jumping straight into exercising may not be the viable thing to do. It can be from a variety of reasons, from medical to physical capability.
So the food consumption and meal planning part will then become pivotal in the way the calories are consumed and burnt.
1 person likes this
@kun2349 (23381)
• Singapore
26 Feb 09
Yeah, meal planning depends on each individual and their activities for the day.. No two person are able to share the same type of planning because of our helath and body system ^_^ If one is always using alot of energy, then they will actually need more calories to burn, instead of eating lesser than before.. lol =D
Also, one should not engage in vigorous exercises especially when they just embark on it.. For the effect will be reversed instead.. hehe ^_^
1 person likes this
@HealthWerks (29)
• United States
27 Feb 09
A few more things that is over looked are:
EDUCATION. Read up on the latest diets, diet plans and diet systems. There are so many out there that works wonders and may help you to put together a plan that is right for you.
FRIENDS: Have your friends lost weight? What are they using? How did they lose it?
MEDICAL: Remember one of the most important thing when chosing a diet or deciding to go on a diet is ask your physician. Dieting, although being very benifitial to your health, can have a negative effect on the body if not properly approached or planned.
PROFFESIONAL HELP: Seek out a nutritionist, weight loss coach, or personal wellness coach to help you succede your goals. These are the people trained and educated in the right tools and plans to help you acheive your goals and success.
For any questions about reading materials, resources, diet systems, or how to get a personal wellness evaluation for free contact me at healthwerks@rocketmail.com or visit my blog at www.healthwerks.blogspot.com
Your Friend,
Dave
@ahgong (10064)
• Singapore
27 Feb 09
Hmm.. very valid points you raised there.
I guess the kinda diet I am proposing is just a change in the habits and ways we eat.
And that would go a long way in getting a healthier body.
For the more serious cases, what you said is true. Getting education and help from certified dietitian would be better.
Interesting blog you got there Dave.
@delrealmonica (189)
• United States
25 Feb 09
Yeah i have the worse self control ever!
So i'm going to try and break bad habits during Lent and then hopefully keep them.
You have some good advice though.
THANKSSS
:)