7 Ways to Ensure a Diet Works before You Even Begin ...

One of the best ways to ensure a diet works is to start off with the right intentions. Don’t just dive right in because you’re desperate to be thin. Desperation is not a healthy motivation, even though it can be a catalyst for the right intention. Set your intention to be that you want to do this to be healthier and tell yourself that you can and will do this for yourself so you can feel and be your best.

Write down your motivation for losing weight and going on whatever diet you’re choosing. Write down everything that comes to mind for why you want to go on the diet. Then post that somewhere that you’ll see it every day so that when stress or a temptation comes, you won’t be inclined to cheat or give up. A refrigerator or mirror are two places that work really well for most people!

You know what they say - if you fail to plan, you’re planning to fail. Give yourself the chance to succeed by planning out your meals, workout routines, and how you’ll handle a temptation or situations like dining out. Having your meals planned ahead is key, so make room in your schedule once a week and make it happen!

Don’t expect yourself to be blind to those cookies and chips hiding in your pantry while you’re dieting. No matter how strong you may be one day, the next you may be stressed or just haven’t eaten enough, which may lead you to binge or cheat. Get rid of all the temptation foods however you have to. If that means throwing them out or donating them, so be it. Personally, I won’t keep peanut butter in my house for this very reason. It’s much easier to avoid buying a food at the store than it is when it’s at home in your pantry.

Before you start your diet, be sure you head to the store and stock up on everything you’ll need to succeed for the week. Don't wait until later in the week when things get busy and you become more stressed. Remember to try new things and get excited about eating differently. Shop with enthusiasm and know you’re making a great choice for yourself and your body.

That’s right - for any diet to work at its best, you’ve got to move your body! You need to exercise for at least thirty minutes a day, four times a week, if not six. This will help you get in the mode of being active, which helps fight cravings, fuels your metabolism, and motivates you to take care of yourself.

Don’t go at your diet alone or be afraid to tell others about your diet. Let people know why you’re dieting and that you really want to make a change for your health. Ask them to support you so they’ll avoid tempting you or give you a hard time. They will understand when you pass on the bread and cake at the dinner table and enjoy your delicious veggies, fish, and salad instead.

If you’ve had great success with changing your health and eating better, I’d love to hear what tips you have to share that made you a success story. What’s your best way to ensure a diet works?