Dieting Rules to Break

Everyone loves to eat, and that is why weight loss can seem so daunting at times. Many people think that in order to successfully lose weight you have to drastically alter everything about what you eat and how you live your life. However in most cases that is not true, living healthily has to be sustainable for the long-term, otherwise it will never function as a true change. There are guidelines given that can help you reach your goals faster, but here are a few ways to bend those rules a little bit to make them more attainable.

1. Don't give in to cravings. This is one of the most common dieting rules, however it can also be one of the most difficult to follow, and you may not want to. If you constantly deprive your body of something it wants, or you constantly tell yourself no then you are setting yourself up for failure in the long run. Indulging a little bit now and then is important so that you do not feel like your new lifestyle is one of deprivation. Just try to indulge smartly, on a day you've exercised or a day where you haven't already had another calorie-laden treat. On that same note, you do need to watch for trigger foods, which can be that one food you just can't stop eating once you start. Be extra careful around these types of foods and don't keep them in the house.
2. Stay off the scale. Another common misconception is that weighing yourself can make you obsessive or lead to becoming disheartened when the results don't seem to be coming fast enough. However, weighing yourself regularly is one of the best ways to stay accountable to your goals. Weekly weigh-ins seems to work best for most people, but if something different works for you than stick with that. Even though we may not like it, the scale is a tool that should be utilized to help us see what is working and what is not. 
3. No eating after dinner. Weight loss is all about calories in versus calories out. If you find yourself hungry after dinner just make sure that you do not go over on your calorie allowance for the day. What time of day you eat is not nearly as important as what you're eating and how much. 
4. Cut carbs. Another popular diet trope. And again, something that is not sustainable over the long term. Your body needs carbohydrates in order to function, so if you cut them from your diet it will be hard on your body and you will become exhausted and lethargic. Keeping complex carbohydrates in your diet such as oatmeal, quinoa, whole-grain breads, and vegetables is one of the strongest tools you have for feeling full and satisfied with your food. 
5. Portion control everything. Portion control is essential when it comes to higher calorie foods, or foods you are likely to go overboard on. But it is a tool that can also be taken too far. Foods like green vegetables can be eaten freely without worrying about consuming too much because they have so many nutrients that the benefits to the body outweigh any overeating risks.