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Why’s it so hard to stick to your diet?

John Tesh has given us some very good reasons why it's so tough to stick to that diet! He's provided us wih some hunger-fighting tips we can all use.


Why’s it so hard to stick to your diet? Two reasons:

#1: When you start to lose weight, your body naturally wants to eat more because it thinks something’s wrong. It’s not getting the calorie intake it’s used to. That’s down to a hormone called ghrelin that rises when you lose just 1.5 percent of your body weight. That’s only 2 pounds for a 150 pound person. And that hormone sends out “I’m hungry” signals to your brain. The second reason it’s hard to stick to your diet: Stress. A recent study found that stress not only makes people eat more, it pushes them to binge on high-fat, high-calorie foods.

So, here are some hunger-fighting tips, courtesy of Women’s Health magazine:

First, adjust your eating time. If you eat lunch early, and you’re starving and binging by dinnertime, re-train your hunger hormones. In other words, gradually slide your lunchtime back 15 minutes every few days, until you find a lunch hour that doesn’t leave you famished by dinner.

Then, eat fiber mixed with lean protein. Combination eating will help you feel full longer, and keep your “I’m hungry” hormones in check. So, try apples with string cheese, eggs with whole wheat toast, and chicken with broccoli.


Also, mix it up. Your body gets into a habit if you always eat the same foods at the same time. It’s called a “sense memory”. Like if you always munch on chips during American Idol – your body and mind begin to crave the chips then because you’ve linked the chips to relaxing on the couch at this time. So, do the unexpected. Eat a couple of chips before you sit down to watch, or sit somewhere else so your body is thrown off.

And the final hunger-fighting tip: Eat in a stress-free zone. In other words don’t dine in front of your computer, your checkbook, or your half-written work presentation. You’ll only be feeding your stress. Instead, focus on your food and set aside the source of your stress. That’ll keep you from mindlessly eating whatever’s within reach.

About the Author

JOHN TESH is a well-known TV and radio personality. Visit his website www.tesh.com and don't forget to sign up for their Inteliigence for Your Life Newsletters. They're fun, informative and free!






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