Ditching dairy:
Full-fat milk, cheese, and ice cream are taboo for many dieters, but ditching dairy foods
may be counterproductive. Some research suggests the body burns more fat when it gets
enough calcium and produces more fat when it’s calcium-deprived. Calcium supplements
do not appear to yield the same benefits, so dairy may have other things going for it, too.
Stick to nonfat or low-fat dairy options.

Losing track of your snacks:
Maybe you count calories at every meal, but what about all those nibbles in between?
There’s the pack of chips at your desk, the little slice of cake at a party, the taste of your
son’s ice cream cone. All of this mindless munching adds up and could sabotage an
otherwise well-planned diet. If you’re serious about counting calories, you may want to
use your smartphone or a notebook to keep track of each bite.

Setting unrealistic goals:
Telling yourself you’ll lose 20 pounds your first week is probably setting yourself up for
failure. If you know you won’t be able to do it, you may never start your diet in the first
place. If you diet and lose 5 pounds in a week, instead of celebrating, you may feel
discouraged that you didn’t reach your goal. A realistic goal is vital to successful dieting.
If you’re not sure what your goal should be, talk to a dietitian.

Weighing yourself every day:
Weighing yourself daily is a recipe for frustration and doesn’t yield useful information. It’s
more important to look for a long-term trend with weekly weigh-ins. If your goal is to lose
1 or 2 pounds a week, you’ll be satisfied to see those full-pound drops when you step on
the scale. The result is more motivating than the confusing swings that may accompany