6 Secrets to Losing Weight (Page 7)

Treat Yourself

Secret 6. Treat Yourself

You love chocolate; you live for chocolate. But when you're trying to lose weight you aim for eating perfection. So you totally give it up and eat whole-grain toast, salad and apples instead. You feel virtuous because your diet is picture-perfect. But, for most people, it's impossible to achieve every minute of the day.

Recognizing realistic expectations is the key to slimming down. Aiming to be "too good" sets you up to fail. Don't deprive yourself of everything you love, just keep your little splurges in moderation and calculate them into your plan for the day. Dieting isn't about perfection; it's about balance. So if you love chocolate, eat a little, or if you love wine, drink a little. Just make room for the calories by passing on something else—perhaps bread. In other words, prioritize.

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