Pound-Shedding Plan

Still trying to lose the extra five you packed on over the holidays? Scrap the dieting dogma and slim down with this two-part, zero-deprivation weight-loss proposal.

Be honest. You still haven’t dropped those last few pounds you swore you’d banish from your body. The likely reason? You can’t bear the thought of forsaking your favorite foods and who can blame you! But fear not—we are here to save you form a guilt-induced tailspin with a weight-loss plan that doesn’t require a robot like discipline. First, ditch the calorie-counting handbooks and pint-size-portion charts that are typical dieting de rigueur. When you deprive yourself, you are likely to lose control over food, which leads to bingeing and weight gain. Instead, revamp your food’tude, and drop those pesky pounds with these easy-to-stick-to-eating principles. Then try some of our metabolism boosters to make those five pounds melt off even faster.

Dieting Doctrine 1

Curb during the week, then cave on weekends- rigidly sticking to a no-sweets, no-fat (not to mention no fun) diet al day, every day is both impossible and impractical. Instead, pick 2 days a week when you’re allowed to nosh on normally no-no foods. On weekends, you’re more likely to eat out, go to parties, or munch on fattening bar food. The reason this rule rocks is that you get a fix of “bad food” so you won’t feel deprived and therefore won’t be tempted to pig out. Plus, you skip the guilt since you have already given yourself permission to dodge your diet-temporarily.

Dieting Doctrine 2

Never eat a meal in less than 20 minutes-a hasty-eating habit can wreak havoc on your waistline. It takes up to 20 minutes after you’ve begun munching for your brain to recognize that you’re full. So if you’re slamming back food at breakneck speed, it’s likely that you’re taking in more calories than you need to feel satisfied. Rest your fork on your plate or put your sandwich down between each bite, take smaller bites, and chew and swallow them completely before taking another, or use chopsticks—no matter what type of cuisine you’re chowing.

Dieting Doctrine 3

When you eat something bad, eat something good with it- Chances are, there are fantasy foods that you simply can’t resist (French fries, double-chocolate chip cookies and cheesecakes come to mind)—so don’t! But when you do indulge in forbidden fare, be sure to pair it with good-for-you food. The addition of a healthy morsel will help you fill up before you OD on the devilish eats. Got a weakness for pizza with extra cheese? Snag one slice, but add a salad. You’ll be less likely to reach for round two.

Dieting Doctrine 4

Eat pasta only three times per week-max- this Italian carb is cheap, delish and such a snap to make, it’s no wonder it’s a staple of so many people’s diets. But noshing on noodles nonstop can add unwanted pounds. The solution? Set a goal: Only allow yourself to give in to your pasta pangs three times a week. If you cave more often than that, you’re likely to overload on nutritionally empty carbs. And when you do sit down to scarf spaghetti, ensure it packs a nutritional punch. Make your platter of penne or your bowlful of bow-ties more flavorful and healthy by combining it with a variety of veggies and a tasty source of protein, like low-fat cheese, chicken, or beans.

Dieting Doctrine 5

Always leave a little food on your plate—it’s time to ditch your mom’s dinnertime “clean your plate” dictate. Even though the portion sizes we get in restaurants or serve ourselves are often twice as large as they should be, many of us have a hard time letting any food go to waste. But by getting the guilt and leaving a few bites behind at every meal, you’ll learn to become more conscious of your calorie intake. And you may find that the amount you need to feel full will be smaller than you’d ever realized.