I kicked off the New Year this week on “LIVE! with Regis and Kelly” where I revealed my Top 10 Diet Mistakes… and how to avoid them, of course.  Chances are you’ve run into these pitfalls before, but don’t worry; just being aware of them makes them easier to get around.

10- Setting Unreasonable Goals

Don’t set yourself up for failure and discouragement by aiming to look like you did at high school graduation.  I mean, you wouldn’t want your high school hairstyle back, would you? Instead choose a goal that is do-able but is a bit of a reach. Honestly ask yourself, at what weight do you feel most comfortable and what is realistically sustainable?

 9- Going to Extremes

It’s inevitable: deprivation leads to over-indulging.  Instead of cutting out indulgent favorites completely try a more balanced, live-able plan. I look at foods as Usually, Sometimes and Rarely… there is no such thing as never. If you fill your day with vegetables, fruit, whole grains, lean proteins, and low-fat dairy… a little cheese or a piece of chocolate won’t derail you.

 8- Skipping Breakfast

  People skip breakfast thinking they’re cutting calories, but they inevitably make up those calories later…and then some, with less healthy food at that. Breakfast skippers are more vulnerable to impulsive eating (hello vending machine) and do more poorly on cognitive tests. For a tasty way to start the day off right, try my Vanilla Spiced Oatmeal.

7 – Having No Food at Home

Eating well starts at the grocery store. If you have great food at your fingertips then you will eat well instead of grabbing salty, high fat take out. Stock up on staples that make meal prep easy and healthy.  Check out my Seven So Easy Staples video to see some of my go-to pantry items.

6- Shopping Without a List

  Grocery stores are designed to make you buy impulsively. And many of those impulsive purchases are unhealthy snack foods you really don’t need around the house calling your name. So shop with a list and stick to it!  My So Easy Pantry List is a great place to start and you’ll be prepared to whip up delicious meals in minutes like my Garlic-Basil Shrimp. 

5- Drinking your Calories

You can easily down hundreds of calories on sodas, lemonade, sweet teas, coffee drinks, wine, cocktails, and even juices without realizing it.  These calories add up but they don’t make you feel full.  Instead, choose beverages that refresh and hydrate you like herbal iced tea, club soda with a splash of cranberry and lime, or my favorite, “spa water” (water with slices of orange and cucumber.)

 4- Picking

You can eat hundreds of calories mindlessly by picking throughout the day….the crusts from your child’s sandwich, a handful of M&Ms, a corner of a donut at the office….Stop picking. If you are hungry, actually grab a plate and sit down to eat.

 3- Going it Alone

You have a much better chance of success if you get friends and family on board with your plan. It doesn’t mean they have to do what you are doing, but letting them know your goals and how can support you will make it that much easier to stay on track.

 2- Taking off weekends

You are “perfect” all week and then the weekend is a haze of chicken wings, pizza, ice cream and oversized margaritas. Monday starts the cycle all over again and you never lose an ounce even though you feel like you are always eating carefully. Remember weekends count. After all, counting Fridays they comprise more than a third of our lives. Allow yourself a couple of indulgences (even a margarita) but don’t let the weekend be a blow-out.

 1- Going on a Diet!

The number one diet mistake is going on a diet in the first place. A diet is inherently a short term commitment to – something you go on, and then go off, which puts you on an unhealthy roller coaster. Instead of going on a “diet” rethink your plan so you are making changes you can live with.   Now is the perfect time to start; happy and healthy 2010!