10 Stupid Ways We Mess Up Weight Loss

I wish i could take credit for this one but I can't. This is an artical that I found really helpful the last time I started losing wieght. i just re-read it and it's right on.

10 Stupid Ways We Mess Up Weight Loss

1. No Plan, Stan. You know the old saying, if you fail to plan, you plan to fail. Nothing could be truer than that when it comes to weight loss. Planning means you know what you’re going to eat, you’ve got what you need to eat and you know how to fix it. It’s not enough to simply fill your fridge with good stuff either (ever open your crisper to a drawer full of slime?).
2. “Just This Once.” This is what you say to yourself when you order a rich dessert in a restaurant or eat a huge serving of fettuccini alfredo and then find yourself spiraling out of control with your eating the next week. “Just this once” has often undone days or even weeks of “good behavior” and been the gateway to a full-on binge. The remedy? PLAN one meal a week of whatever you want, but pay attention to the portion size. As a precaution, if I order a hamburger with all the fixin’s, I cut it in half or order the petite version (a restaurant where I live will do that for you!) and order a huge salad to go with it to counter balance everything.
3. Complete Deprivation. The opposite of “just this once” is complete and utter deprivation. Saying never and meaning it. The problem is one of perfectionism and thinking that unless you’re faultless with your eating, you’re not “doing it” right. So when the slip up comes (and it will!) all good intentions are thrown out the window, and, once again, the spiraling out-of-control eating becomes the norm. A better idea is to plan that one meal a week that gives you a “vacation” from your diet (see number 2).
4. Not Enough! You started your own weight-loss diet and you’ve cut the calories way down there because you think this is going to jump start your weight loss, right? WRONG! You restrict your calories too much and you’ll end up slowing down your metabolism (your body will think you’re being starved) to the point of making weight loss impossible. To cure that problem, consider eating a number of small healthy meals a day. For me, the magic meal number was five: 3 meals a day, plus a snack between each meal. The bonus was my energy level soared and I was never hungry!
5. Too Much! If you’re not friendly with the term “portion control” now is your chance. Trying to lose weight without portion control is like flying a plane without air-traffic control. You gotta have that control! So when your cereal box tells you 1/2 cup equals 200 calories, then you MEASURE out that 1/2 cup till you can comfortably eyeball it in your bowl. Here’s a hint: always use the same bowl so you know what’s what. You can do that with everything till you’re comfortable and, trust me, it will make a huge difference! After I implemented this myself, I discovered I was eating THREE portions of cereal! No wonder I was having a hard time losing weight!
6. Quick Fix. The Quick Fix Mentality is a guarantee for low-level results. Oh sure, you might look great for your 20-year high school reunion, but 2 months after the big event you’ll have trouble getting back into that cute black dress you wore. The solution is to see that big event coming up as an opportunity to launch a new lifestyle and eating plan that will get you the results you want for life.
7. Diet Only. It takes more than a good diet to make the weight fall off. Exercise has a lot to do with how your body will take shape as you lose weight. Believe it or not, it doesn’t take as much effort as you might think. Just 30 minutes a day of aerobic activity are going to greatly impact your results. The bonus is you will handle stress far better when you exercise regularly.
8. Impatience. Yeah, I know. You want what the magazine promises: 10 pounds off in 3 days! Let me tell you something -- it ain’t gonna happen. Part of permanently losing weight is going with the process. We all want results now -- part of microwave mentality, I suppose -- but being in the process of weight loss is important. This process involves all of you: body, soul and mind. Learn to appreciate the little things (looser fitting clothes to start) and once the big stuff starts to happen, you’ll be ready and very appreciative!
9. Stress Eating. There you are, losing weight, exercising, doing the right thing. The weight is coming off, you’re feeling great, the world is starting to look pretty good to you. Then suddenly, your boss comes in and tells you your company has been downsized and you find yourself the owner of a brand new pink slip. You and few comrades head down to the local watering hole, order a few drinks and you start grazing on the peanuts. One of your friends orders nachos. Is this a “one-night stand” or the direction you’re going to take because stress has got you in a chokehold? These are important questions to verbalize to yourself. Stuff happens, but are you going to let go of everything because of it?
10. Self-sabotage. What’s with the cheese puffs in your grocery cart? You think that’s such a good idea? Why do you want to play with fire when you have proven over and over again (and your thighs will second that emotion) that you and a cheese puff shouldn’t be seen together in the same room? In other words, if you have a problem food, for heaven’s sake, don’t buy it thinking others in your family will be deprived or that you just need to control your portion. Nonsense! Skip the temptation and stick with the stuff you know will help you achieve your goals!