5 Dieting Excuses to Beat

Last month, you made your decision to lose some weight. You started feeling empowered and motivated, but as time passes on you seem to feel stuck again. Relax, and take a deep breath! In the new book The Mayo Clinic Diet, the weight-loss experts at the Mayo Clinic pointed out some common dieting excuses and introduced the ways to beat them.

Excuse 1: I don't like vegetables and fruit

No interest on vegetables and fruits? Not a problem! If  having a huge bowl of salad does not appeal to you, you can boost your vegetables and fruits intake easily by adding them to your casseroles, stews, pastas and stir-fries. Or, you can mix some chopped fresh fruits  in your granola and low-fat yogurt. 

Excuse 2: I am too busy to cook, or I don’t like cooking

You can find recipes that are easy, quick, and healthy from lots of recipe websites and cookbooks. Test out different cooking techniques, such as grilling, steaming, and stir-frying, which are all easy ways to make your meal. Prepackaged salad greens, frozen vegetables, or precooked lean meats can be bought in advance to save your time.

Make extra when you do cook, so you can finish up the leftovers the next day without cooking again. Having takeout or eating out is perfectly fine once in a while when you really don’t want to walk into the kitchen. Just try to remind yourself to choose healthful items on the menu and take a good control of your portion size.

Excuse 3: I don’t eat breakfast, because I don’t feel hungry

Even if you don’t feel hungry, try to eat something every morning, you can try fruity smoothie, granola with low-fat yogurt, or non-fat milk, or handy foods that you can grab and go, such as granola bars, whole grain muffins and apples. Or try a breakfast sandwich.

Excuse 4: I'm a late-night snacker

Prevention is the way to go to curb your late-night munchies. Make sure you eat three good meals during the day so you won't feel hungry during the night, simply don't store unhealthy snack in the house, and keep yourself busy before bedtime to restrict you from wandering snacking. If you feel the craving to eat before bedtime, get some fresh fruits, vegetable sticks, or popcorn without butter instead.

Excuse 5: I feel it’s so hard if I don’t eat something when I'm watching TV or in the theater

You can try to have a healthy and flavorful meal before you watch the show, so you feel less cravingly to eat. Drink a calorie-free beverage or water instead of having some snack. If you do have to snack, eat something low in calories such as fresh or dried fruits, popcorn (no butter and salt added), or granola bars.