If you have been on and off diets for a while now then you would know how difficult it becomes to stick to the plan after a point of time. Boredom sets in and you find it more and more tough to stay on track. Losing weight is a gradual process and it needs truckloads of patience, especially when your eating habits have been anything but healthy earlier. Following a diet plan that makes you give up on junk and unhealthy food can be tough to do for long. This often leads to a barrage of cheat meals which impact your diet routine and bring you back to square one!
But did you know you could add some fun to your boring diet plan? A slight shift in the diet cannot harm your body and does not affect your weight loss struggles, in fact it could keep you motivated enough so you continue doing your best.
So, in order to avoid getting into a rut dieting, you should try these interesting and exciting ways and give yourself some break off the rigid diet plan.
1. Try new fruits and vegetables
Dieting gives an opportunity to fall in love with newer fruits and vegetables. If you have been eating the same vegetables and fruits time and again, it is time to toss some newer and seasonal ones to make your bowl look colourful and, of course, healthy. Don't hesitate to give yourself a break from the same foods and instead add a variety that offers a fresh set of nutrients. For instance, if you have been asked to eat strawberries, don't think twice to switch it with kiwi or any other citrus fruit.
Dieting gives an opportunity to fall in love with newer fruits and vegetables2. Give your recipes a makeover
If you have been cooking the same old recipe again and again without really giving it a makeover, it is bound to make you want to skip it. Try a little experimentation by adding different spices and seasoning to your recipes instead of the usual ingredients. This will help you satisfy your hunger cravings and also provide newness to the food. Also, grab some new recipe books that will give you a way to transform your dishes without using an extra calorie.
You have been cooking the same old recipe again and again without really giving it a makeover,3. Find restaurants that match your diet plan
Dieting restricts you to go out and indulge in restaurants, which can make you want to visit them even more. That's reverse psychology for you! Thanks to the awareness today, we get to see a lot of eateies that serve healthy food. So make a list of these restaurants and visit them whenever you think you are bored of eating the same thing again and again. In fact Asian and Mediterranean fare tend to offer diet friendly vegetables and lean proteins that your taste buds would love too.
Dieting restricts you to go out and indulge in restaurants, which can make you want to visit them even more
4. Switch your meals around
Now who said that you cannot eat foods that are meant for breakfast during dinner time? Meal plans are designed to distribute your foods over several meals and snacks through the day. Swap and re-arrange your meals accordingly. The time of the day that you eat does not matter as long as you don't exceed your daily total calorie limit. This does not mean that eat your heaviest meal at night, just before bed time. Rejig your meals and dishes wisely for a dash of freshness in your eating routine.
Now who said that you cannot eat foods that are meant for breakfast during dinner time5. Save some calories during the week to be used on other days
While you may eat diet-friendly foods through the week, you want to binge on a weekend. Why not plan of the big meal? Start cutting back a few calories each day during the week so you could enjoy yourself on weekends. But you can only do this if you know how many calories you are saving now and what kind of a calories the ' indulge' meals will come with.
While you may eat diet-friendly foods through the week, you want to binge on a weekend6. Add more seasoning and herbs to your diet
If you are eating bland food for your diet plan, you can bring it to life by adding more seasoning and herbs to it without having to worry about adding on the calories. It is imperative enjoy the taste of the food that you are eating, otherwise your motivation to lose weight may only swoop down quickly. Add calorie free condiments and herbs to your salads, boiled potatoes and others and see how you enjoy their taste and flavour.
If you are eating bland food for your diet plan, you can bring it to life by adding more seasoning and herbs7. Shop for your own groceries
If you are dependent on others to choose your groceries, it may make eating boring after a while. Bring your own favourites back on your plate by shopping for your own groceries. Chances are you would enjoy this process and already start thinking of how to rustle up healthy meals at the time of shopping itself. Read the labels of everything you pick before breaking away from boring meals.
If you are dependent on others to choose your groceries, it may make eating boring after a whileWhile these ways may look interesting, it certainly does not mean you overdo these as that may only negatively impact your ultimate goal. Use these tips as a garnish on an overall plan laid out by an expert. And, always make sure you have consulted your dietitian before making the big switch. So, cut off the boredom and make weight loss an interesting affair, all over again.