7 Habits That Doom a Diet


By eDiets Staff

Do you wonder why every time you go on a diet, you wind up regaining the weight — and sometimes even more? Then you’re in “bad company” because most American adults who diet fail to keep the weight off.

Most of dieting is about what goes on between your ears, as in what you know and how you use that knowledge to your advantage. Read on to see how many of these dieting dilemmas apply to you!

1. You give food power. Food can’t “make” you eat it. The way some people talk, you’d think a candy bar holds them down, forcing them to chew and swallow, too! YOU have the power to say “no,” so do it.

2. You think there are “good” and “bad” foods. Wrong! Food does not possess human characteristics. Food is food: fatty food, salty food, low in saturated fat or high in fiber…it’s ultimately your choice.

3. You think a diet is something you “go on.” And then you “go off” it when you lose the weight. For instance, “I lost 12 pounds, so now I can go off my diet.” This recipe for failure means you’ll most likely regain the weight, just like the majority of people who lose weight and regain it.

4. You think you can lose weight without exercise. It’s possible to lose weight without exercise, but most likely the weight is going to come right back once you stop “dieting.” Increased activity, even walking briskly, is associated with permanent weight loss.

5. You eat the same fruits and vegetables every day. That’s like playing only four numbers in the Quick Pick Five. You can’t win unless you fill in the whole card. Increasing variety provides better nutrition and more phytochemicals to defeat disease.

6. You think that all fats are bad. In fact, some fats are health-enhancing, like omega-3 fatty acids in fish and those found in nuts and seeds. But beware of trans fat in fast food and packaged foods and limit saturated fat in whole milk, dairy and fatty meats.

7. You’re drinking too many calories. If you think a glass of soda is bad but juice or sports drinks are good, think again. Juice has the same calories as soda and no fiber. Eat your fruit; don’t drink it. Sports drinks are usually full of sugar: Drink water and eat an orange instead.





  • NAWAL KAMAL

    RIGHT ! We think we do right things, but we do not!
    We should avoid all artificial drinks ! Better drink natural water, and eat nature fruits and vegetables, also sport is essential to increase wasting weight!
    Seems difficult ! but we all need only Will and Courage!
    Good luck for you and me also, strugling with my weight, well about only 65 kg (frensh)
    but need to make it 58 kg.
    Thanks for your support and advises,very useful!

  • Mariana

    I disagree about the fruits/vegetables thing.

    Yes, it's best to eat a variety, but if one has, say, kale every day, that's not a “bad” thing. I think perhaps increasing variety is a good tip, but the way this is written makes it seem as though one shouldn't be eating the same fruit or vegetable every day, which makes no sense. I could just be playing semantics here, but I do think a number of specific fruits and vegetables SHOULD be consumed on a daily basis if possible.

  • http://www.ediets.com/ eDiets Weight Loss & Fitness

    Hi Mariana! You definitely could eat the same fruits and veggies every day, we just suggest mixing it up to make the most of all the different nutritional benefits they each have to offer. We've found that some people also get bored with the same food every day, so switching up the menu sometimes helps people stick with their plans.

    But in the end, what's most important is what works for YOU! Thanks for the comment!

  • Sandi S

    I'm with you. I have a 'bum' leg due to an ankle break years ago. I just fell again Christmas Eve and laid in the cold and snow for almost two hours before a neighbor came home and found me! I STILL DON'T FEEL GOOD! And being a diabetic (more hypo- then hyper-), I know I should go to the doctor, but, being unemployed, there's no money in the bank! So ~ I'm 'up the proverbial creek'!
    I can slowly walk, whick I do several times a day. but brisk walking is not possible. Any kind of floor exercises are out as I would never get back to my feet again. Bending throws me off-balance. As well as, I live probably 40 miles from town, no gym nearby! So . . . I'm open to ideas!

  • Stephanie

    I like #1 because honestly sometimes I feel like certain foods do “make me” eat them! lol! That made me laugh and then I thought what a true statement….now to apply it!

  • Raphael

    Hi Sonya,

    It's difficult to recommend an exercise program because you didn't mention specifically what your back injury is — and what your doctor has recommended. In these cases recommendations are made based on the information provided by your doctor (in order to keep you safe).

    Raphael
    Chief Fitness Pro
    eDiets.com

  • http://www.ediets.com/ eDiets Weight Loss & Fitness

    Good point, Joe. It's very true — the best mix is diet AND exercise to get the best results. Exercise alone is healthier than not exercising at all, but really watching what you eat will help you see even better results!

  • Anyone Can

    I have been excercising for months and no actual weight loss. I started taking the acai berry and colon cleanser reginmen and noticed that I am loosing inches and not actual weight. I have not yet excercised yet using this regimen but will start today. My appetite have serverly decreased also. I wonder why is it so hard to loose weight and not inches?

  • Da Preachergirl

    This article was very helpful by letting me see why my weight always came back since I have gotten older.

  • rockin Randy

    Walking anytime, anywhere is SO simple. And it works. Call it exercise or not…it's what your body needs, from top to bottom.

  • http://www.ediets.com/ eDiets Weight Loss & Fitness

    Love it, Randy!

  • RaphaeleDiets

    rockin Randy – Excellent point! Your post related to walking was perfect!

  • Rockin Randy

    That would be over-read articles. This one caused no harm to anybody, I'm sure.
    Your shit attitude is another story.

  • Rockin randy

    I lost 37 pounds in 4 months with a simple, proper diet and tons of walking. It's nice to be back at my college weight of 190, baseball pitcher and all such nonsense. Now, at 57.
    Nix the booze too. Even with the so-called “health” benefits of a glass of wine, let's get real. I've never yet met anybody who gets smarter with one glass, let alone 6.

    This is a real neat 7-point article. Print it and pin it up on the frig, and you might be kicking better in a week.
    “Won't do you no harm.” Sly and the Family Stone….Woodstock. Peace.

  • Michelle Antolik

    I agree that we give food too much power. I am an emotional eater, and very Italian. I have been raised to use food to solve or celebrate anything life throws my way. I mostly use food for comfort when I am stressed. The trick is to to have a better coping mechanism. I chew Orbit gum when I am feeling “the urge”. It is difficulty to diet in a culture where large portions in restaurants and overall is way too celebrated.

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Disclaimer: The information provided is intended for your knowledge only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice or treatment for specific medical conditions. Please talk with your healthcare provider regarding any questions or concerns you may have regarding your condition.