Finding the Motivation to Start a Low Carb Diet

We've all been there. Your jeans are fitting a little snugger. Your second chin seems to be getting more definite. Your ankles are retaining water constantly. You need to do something to lose weight, but what? You don't want to be hungry all the time. You don't want your day to be an endless graze of carrots and celery. You want to eat light when you feel like it and decadent without feeling guilty and seeing the results on your waistline. It's time to diet.

You do your research and come to the conclusion that Low Carb is the diet for you. Sure, you have to give up your potatoes, breads, pasta and sugars. But the idea of eating meat, dairy, vegetables and more until you are satiated appeals. You buy the books, do the reading and get an understanding of what a "net carb" is. You set the date. You are committed. This time, you will succeed. So how do you go from dreading "D" day to actually looking forward to it?

Pick your favorites. Go through the allowable food lists and highlight the foods you really love. Enjoy a good beef tenderloin? Write it down. Chicken Caesar salad your favorite? Skip the croutons and plan to indulge in real dressing, shredded romano cheese and grilled chicken. Do you dream about eating real butter? Plan to serve steamed veggies drizzled in honest to goodness creamery butter. Make sure your first few weeks are full of your favorite low carb treats and you'll find yourself in a can't wait mode to indulge in foods that may normally induce guilt.

Peruse the grocery store. Take a reconnaissance mission and head to the grocery store to seek out treasures. Bring your carb counting book and make note of all the offerings you find. Look for vegetables you've never tried. Check out the different types and cuts of meat in the cases and make notes on a few you'd like to try. Spend some time in the dairy department checking out all the varieties of cheese. Think of a few favorites and a few new ones you'd like to add. Do the same in the salad dressing aisle. Low carb equals full fat dressings and dairy and it's time to think about those guilty dressings you can now eat guilt free!

Stock up and toss out. Once you know what you want to eat during the first two weeks or so of your diet, make sure you're stocked up on breakfast foods, snacks, lunches and dinners. Don't let yourself be in a position where it's easier to eat something quick, easy and full of sugar. Not a lot of time in the morning? Keep hard boiled eggs, microwaveable bacon and string cheese sticks available. Want some variety for lunch? Stock up on a huge bag of romaine or mixed lettuce, roast beef and turkey from the deli, grilled chicken breasts, cucumbers, broccoli, cauliflower, hard cheeses, flavored vinegars and salad dressings and be ready with plenty of choices for a chef or Caesar salad. Keep all your favorite meats and veggies for dinner and get sugar free Jell-o and sugar free whipped cream for your sweet tooth. And on the opposite end, toss out everything you have in the house that is sugar laden and tempting. Will you reach for celery and dill dip if you have Doritos available?

Dieting can be a challenge and a lifestyle change is usually hard. Seek out all the positives and be ready to indulge in some of your favorite foods and you will find yourself feeling good instead of feeling deprived. Throw some physical activity in the mix as soon as you adjust to the diet changes and watch the pounds begin to drop!