by: Kirsten Hawkins

Let's start this article off right. You are not 'going on a diet'.
Our concept of 'a diet' implies a temporary change that will work
miracles - if we're only strong enough to stick to it. That way of
thinking is encouraged by decades of 'fad diets' that promised us
quick, low-effort weight loss, if we just ate this one miracle food.
I still remember the Cabbage diet, the No-Carb diet and the Banana
diet, among others. Over and over throughout the last 40 years,
diets that advocated eating by a strictly enforced menu have been
proven ineffective, or worse, dangerous.

Going on a diet also implies that you will eventually go off your
diet - whether you 'fall off' it, or return to 'normal eating'. The
secret to losing weight and keeping it off is to create a new eating
plan that will BECOME your normal eating. And this is the place that
most of the popular 'diets' fail. Any diet that restricts your
intake of ANY necessary nutrients too severely will ultimately fail
you. In order to lose weight and maintain your weight loss
indefinitely, you need to teach yourself to eat a balanced diet in
portions that your body needs.

Below is a list of common diet mistakes that will undermine your
attempts to lose weight.

* DON'T restrict your intake to less than 1000 calories a day,
unless you are under the supervision of a doctor. Restricting your
intake that severely can lead to serious health complications. It
also will convince your body that it's starving and slow your
metabolism so that it conserves your stores of food. In other words
- your body will kick into gear to hold onto your fat so you don't
starve to death.

* DON'T cut out one or more entire food groups, including fats. Your
body needs an adequate intake of all nutrients in order to stay
healthy. In every food group there are 'good' and 'bad' choices for
weight loss. Stick to the good ones, and you'll see your weight
dropping without compromising your health.

* DON'T fast for extended periods without medical supervision. For
the same reasons that you shouldn't restrict your intake of calories
to less than 1000 a day, you shouldn't embark on a fast that lasts
more than 48 hours without a doctor's supervision.

* DON'T purge. Purging, whether by emetics, diuretics,
vomit-induction or laxatives robs your body of more than the
nutrients that you're getting rid of. It's unsafe at any speed. You
can end up with far worse problems than a few extra pounds.

* DO see your doctor before starting a serious diet. He or she can
recommend a visit to a nutritionist to help you design a common
sense weight loss plan that will naturally evolve into a healthy
eating style that will last a lifetime.

About the author:
Kirsten Hawkins is a nutrition and health expert from Nashville, TN.
Visit http://www.popular-diets.com/for more great nutrition,
well-being, and vitamin tips as well as reviews and comments on
popular diets.