Help Yourself Over Diet Hurdles

Make Options Instead of Excuses

-- By Liz Noelcke, Staff Writer

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Helpers:

Share an entrée or dessert with someone.
Order dishes with lots of veggies.
Drink water while you are waiting for your meal.
Enjoy a healthy snack before you go out so that you aren’t too hungry
When eating out, decide what healthy option you are going to order before you look at the menu.
Don’t be afraid to make substitutions and special requests. Ask for dressing on the side, tell the waiter you'll pass on the bread basket, and ask for your veggies to be steamed instead of fried.
Don’t let the restaurants win—you’re in control of your diet. For more tips, read "Beating Restaurants at Their Own Game!"

Hurdle #5: I don’t know what to do at family gatherings, holidays, or on vacation.

Helpers:

Eat on a regular schedule. Don’t skip a meal in order to "save room" for the next meal.
Plan ahead for exercise. Find out if the hotel has a fitness center or if there are any parks or recreation centers nearby. If not, bring your own travel-friendly equipment, like a jump rope or resistance band.
Enjoy the company and activities more than the food.
Plan physical fitness activities for the group.
Vacation can make sticking to your diet and exercise plans that much harder! But if you’re armed and ready, you can take on vacation and come out a winner. The Healthy Vacation Guide will help you return home in the same shape you left.

Hurdle #6: I don’t eat breakfast.

Helpers:

Prepare a large batch of healthy options (fruit salad, whole grain pancake batter) at the beginning of the week and use it throughout the week.
If you aren’t hungry first thing in the morning, pack a healthy snack and eat it around 9 a.m.
Shop for quick, healthy foods once a week.
Eat a piece of fresh fruit every morning.
Click here for more "Healthy and Quick Breakfast Ideas."

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About The Author

Liz Noelcke
Liz is a journalist who often writes about health and fitness topics.

Member Comments

THINSTEAD

# 3 Emotional Eating. That was a big one for me. There was always an undercurrent of anxiety that made me want to eat comfort foods like pasta. But once I released my negative emotions, it became much easier to lose the weight and keep it off. I'm down 30 lbs now and still dropping. I'm finally in control of what I put in my mouth and not the other way around. I feel like a different person : ) - 8/3/2012 1:15:35 PM
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SANDIBETTS1

great article, great ideas, great inspiration - 7/13/2012 7:14:05 AM
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CAROLE012

While I don't ask a restaurant to pack half my food before it is served I do separate my food in half and only eat half and then pack is up as leftovers. I have also started walking at least 3 times a week or more in our shopping mall before the stores open. Everyone walking waves to each other and smiles. It just makes me feel better about myself and forget any problems for a while. - 8/18/2011 12:58:20 PM
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KB_KABIR

This is a very nice article, with a myriad of useful tips, which are highly encouraging no matter who you are. - 2/10/2011 10:16:21 AM
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CATHEITE

Thanks for the tips about eating out. Restaurants are my #1 diet downfall. Does anyone ask the waiter to wrap half of their meal before it's brought to the table? Do you get strange looks? - 8/26/2009 10:58:08 PM
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KV711LAW

Awesome Ideas! Though most of us have been in this diet game for so long we think we have been there done that with everything. Only, seeing these ideas all together- like Cliff Notes- inspired me to print them out to take with me and read daily- until it becomes a natural part of my thought process! Thanks for a great article! - 7/24/2009 11:56:52 AM
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MISSANN1913

I can relate to the emotional eater. I see now that I eat more of the unhealthy foods when I am stressed out. Maybe I can push myself to drink more water when I think about putting something in my mouth. - 11/19/2008 4:05:05 PM
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CAROLJ35

Jibbie, that is cute. Reminds me of my baby brother (many years ago) who stood up in his crib and yelled, "Eat, Doey, eat!" (Doey was our big sister.)
Many good ideas in this article but today it is not the most economical to buy instant and many prepared foods. Just lately, I discovered steel cut oats and found I could put them in small crockpot at night and they are ready for my husband and me in the morning. Adapted a good recipe from SP recipes. Leftovers heat up just fine for several more days. - 9/26/2008 7:25:04 PM
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JIBBIE49

Thanks for the breakfast idea to "pack the food" and have it about 9 A.M. That is SO good, because I have NEVER cared to eat first thing in the morning. My niece would make all of us laugh, because she'd get out of bed at 6 A.M. and come down the stairs at age 2, yelling "I want EGG, NOW, EGG, EGG." Then she'd climb up into her high chair and wait. - 8/9/2008 3:00:17 AM
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SXYLAWYER

One good way to help with portion size, is eat protein the size of your palm (this helps account for people who are larger and might need a slightly bigger portion) and carbs the size of your fist. - 6/26/2008 3:42:50 PM
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