Very few people like the idea of dieting. No matter how badly we want to lose weight, the idea of depriving ourselves of our favorite foods and wrestling with hunger pangs can be down right depressing. Pick up a few tips that can make dieting more bearable and more successful.

Tips to Get Your Diet Going

1. Know your weight loss goals.

It’s helpful to know how much weight you want to lose before you decide how you’re going to lose it. If you’re very overweight or obese, it’s important to know that it’s going to take several months for you to reach your goals. Now is the time to think about contacting a specialized weight loss center that can provide a structured and supervised weight loss plan to help you make significant changes.

If you’re slightly or moderately overweight, consider enlisting the help of a dietitian to assist you in learning to practice better portion control. Eating smaller portions at each meal will reduce the number of calories you eat, which will eventually lead to weight loss.

2. Diet AND exercise.

In order to lose weight, you need to consume fewer calories than you burn. The best way to lose weight is to focus on monitoring how many calories you eat and burning more calories with physical activity. Combining diet and exercise, rather than focusing only on what you eat, will help you lose weight faster and improve your overall health.