5 Ways to Psych Yourself Up for a Diet

An interview with Stephen Gullo, a weight-loss specialist based in New York City and the author of The Thin Commandments (Rodale). Diets are associated with deprivation, but when you start with a negative attitude, you get negative results. To successfully lose weight, you need to be in the right frame of mind before you’ve counted a single calorie.

1. FOCUS ON THE BROADER GOAL.

Before starting a diet, most people have a specific dress size in mind as a goal. And while that can be motivating, you increase your odds of success by seeing the bigger picture, too. Say to yourself, "This diet will help me look and feel better." You're going on a diet because your old habits weren't working for your life. Knowing you're making an effort to fix that is empowering.

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2. BE BRUTALLY HONEST.

People gain the same weight with the same foods eaten at the same time of day. If you acknowledge that bread is your downfall before you've stepped into a restaurant or market, you'll be less likely to cave when you're face with it. Be just as clear about your habits. If you're mot a cook-from-scratch type, a diet of home-cooked meals will discourage your. Have healthy prepackaged items on hand instead.

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3. MAKE A SIMPLE PLAN.

Limit meal choices to two or three healthy options, and you'll be less likely to make bad decisions. Before you go to a restaurant, read the menu. It won't look as sexy on a computer screen, and you'll reduce your chances of being seduced by unhealthy foods.

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