8 REASONS YOUR DIET ISN'T WORKING

I read this in Family Circle yesterday. This is a pretty long article so I'm going to put the reasons and parts of what it said. I might add a comment too.;-)

Americans spend $33 billion each year on diet programs,products and gimmicks--yet we weigh more than ever. Why are we getting bigger when we're trying that much harder to get skinny? Too many carbs? Too much fat? Mindless eating? Excessive stress? Perhaps. but chances are it's just a small diet mistake that's stopping you from losing those extra pounds.

#1 DIET DOWNFALL--
You follow the plan that worked for your friend.

Forget about the latest fad diet. Even if your best friend swears she found the secret to weight loss, it might not work for you. Truth is, different methods work for different people.

UNDO THE DAMAGE--

The trick to losing weight and keeping it off is finding a diet you like-- that way you'll be able to stick to it. Carbaholics should go with a Mediterranean diet. The fiber-rich complex carbs help control hunger. Carnivores can lose weight eating a protein-heavy diet with primarily lean meats--think grille turkey burgers,roasted chicken and baked fish. A large number of women find success with low-fat plans.

ME: You know how I feel about low-fat.....it's better for your heart too! That triple by-pass won't be any fun even if you ARE thin!

#2 DIET DOWNFALL--
You eat a small breakfast.

When it comes to your morning meal, size matters--a lot. A recent study found that eating a substantial breakfast can help you lose some serious weight. 94 women were put on a low-calorie diet. But half the women had a big breakfast(610 calories) and the other half a more modest(290 calories) morning meal. The surprising discovery: In just 8 months the larger breakfast group shed, on average, 40 pounds, while their smaller breakfast counterparts dropped a mere 10 pounds.

UNDO THE DAMAGE--
Aim for roughly 500 calories for breakfast. Not hungry in the A.M.? It's likely you're eating too much or too late at night. To get your appetite in sync,close your kitchen at 8 p.m.

ME:The larger breakfast worked for me through 101 pounds!

#3 DIET DOWNFALL--
You're clueless about calorie counting.

Overeating during meals isn't the only way to pack on weight. Did you know that nibbling on just one extra slice of cheese a day translates to 10 extra pounds a year? Add on that one can of regular soda you treat yourself to every afternoon(just for a quick pick-me-up) and you're adding another 15 pounds. Every bite and swallow counts,not just the one you take when you're sitting down to a meal.

UNDO THE DAMAGE:
Food logs are perfect for people who are all-day snackers. When you write down what you eat you become more aware of what you put in your mouth, helping you identify problem areas. If writing it down is too tedious, stop and think about what you ate last. In a study in England, women who were asked to recall their last meal, ate less in an afternoon snack.

#4 DIET DOWNFALL--
You skip meals.

Many women go without breakfast or lunch because they have a special occasion later or overindulged the night before. By 3 p.m. all hell breaks loose. The proof: A USDA economic research service report released earlier this year found that stretching the time between meals from 4 to 5 hours causes you to overeat. Waiting 6 hours makes it even worse. When you finally do eat, you'll consume substantially more and also choose less healthy options.

UNDO THE DAMAGE--
Try to go no more that 4 hours without having a little something to keep you satisfied, That will keep you from overdoing it at your next meal.

#5 DIET DOWNFALL--
You load up on superfoods.

Don't be duped. Even good-for-you items like nuts, avocados and dried fruit can undo your diet if you consume too much of them. To lose, you need to consume less than you burn.

UNDO THE DAMAGE--
No matter how good something is, you must always use portion control. Think a light sprinkle of nuts on your salad, not a handful. A couple of slices of avocado,not the whole thing.

#6 DIET DOWNFALL--
You're canceling out the benefit of workouts.

Think that hour-long run entitles you to a couple extra slices of pizza? Not so fast. We overestimate how many calories we burn exercising,but underestimate how many we eat! Take a protein- and fiber-packed bean burrito, for example. Sure it's healthy, but not as a post-workout snack between meals. TO BURN OFF IT'S 360 CALORIES,YOU'D HAVE TO BIKE FOR AN HOUR AND A HALF!

UNDO THE DAMAGE--
Try something like 8 oz. of low-fat yogurt with fruit or 2 tablespoons hummus with 3 whole-grain crackers. Reward yourself with something non-food. Think manicure or a movie marathon.

#7 DIET DOWNFALL--
You watch what you eat only Monday to Friday.

During the week our lives are usually scheduled and organized, so that's the way we eat. On Saturday and Sunday that structure goes out the window. And so do diets, according to a 2008 study from the Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis. When they tracked dieters' habits, they found that people ate most on Saturday and Sunday ( and ate the most fat on Saturday), bringing their weight loss efforts to a 2-day screeching halt.

UNDO THE DAMAGE--
Make a game plan to allows you to sensibly splurge. Before the weekend starts (say, Thursday night), think about what you'll be doing and where you'll be eating. Plan where you want to spend your calories and where you want to save. That does NOT mean skipping meals. Rather, cut here and there to leave some wiggle room for favorite weekend indulgences. Maybe skip your morning juice,forego the fries at lunch, and snack on an apple instead of ice cream in the afternoon so you can bank those 762 calories for a special dinner or Sunday brunch. To beef up your calorie bank even more, go a long walk each day.

#8 DIET DOWNFALL--
You don't plan for stress.

Even the best diet doesn't account for insane deadlines,fights with your husband or run-ins with your teen. Women are overloaded. Frequently, food is used to soothe or even as entertainment when you're in the mood to escape.

UNDO THE DAMAGE--
Go ahead and indulge. The stress of trying to fight it is worse than just giving in. Having a small treat like a mini candy bar,single serving container of pudding or low-fat ice cream bar right after dinner can keep you from spending the whole night fighting the urge to splurge. If you need to burn off steam, think exercise or talk to a friend---you'll be less likely to want to soothe yourself with snacks.