5 Tips to Keep Your Mental Health in Shape as You Diet

Losing weight and going on a diet can be quite challenging! As someone who has lost over 50 pounds, I will share a bit of my “dieting wisdom” with you.

1. Throw Out that Scale! Of course we all want to keep track of our progress, but stepping on that scale everyday isn't the way to do it. In fact, it can keep us from focusing on what we really should be focusing on. A preoccupation with what the scale reads can cause us to become dependent and depressed. Instead, keep close attention to how you feel--lack of energy and tiredness could be an indication that you are failing to loose weight in the healthiest way. On the other hand, increased energy could be a sign that you are becoming healthier. Focus on what your body tells you--monitor how clothes are fitting you. This is a much more positive way of monitoring your weight loss. Save the scale for regular doctor's checkups or occuasional, periodic use.

2. Set Realistic Goals. Trying to "loose weight fast" is often times not only impractical, but also dangerous. Set goals that you know can be feasibly integrated into your daily routine. Not only are quick weight loss attempts often difficult to maintain, but they can also be hazardous to your health--causing you to ruin your metabolism and rapidly regain the weight as soon as you stop your diet.

3. Expect Fallbacks. We all have our bad days. Being hard on yourself for breaking your diet and falling back on your weight goals is part of the process! Frustration can make it even harder to get back on track. Instead, look forward and decide ways in which you can be more dedicated to your goals. Keeping a journal can help.

4. Praise Yourself Often. Remember, attaining your weight goals is just as much a mental process as it is a physical one. For this reason, it is important to keep yourself motivated. Think of ways to positively reward yourself. For example: get your nails done or have a guys-only night out. There are all kinds of ways to pamper yourself without spending too much money. Be creative!

5. Be Open with your Doctor. If you are struggling in acheiving your goals, don't keep trying to do it alone! Contact your doctor. He/she may be able to help you customize your goals or refer you to a nutritionist or other professional trained to help patients mentally and physically stay on track when loosing weight.

Above all, remember that loosing weight does not mean foregoing fun and ignoring what your mind and emotions tell you. In fact, paying attention to your mental state can ultimately mean far better results. Forget about the scale, be realistic, reward yourself, and, if needed, seek professional assistance. With the right mindset, you will already be well on your way to reaching your weight loss goals!

About the Author
Amie Gerlowski writes for Weight Loss Guide, an online resource about diet pills such as Hoodia.

5 Steps To Healthy, Beautiful Long Hair

It is great to receive compliments for beautiful and healthy hair even though it may need a bit of care. The five steps that you should take to maintain the beauty of your hair are as follows:

1.The first step dealing with hair maintenance is to handle it with care. Some people comb in an unruly manner that may damage the hair surface or can even break it from the root. It is often damaged because of negligence and carelessness. You should detangle the hair first with fingers and then with wide-tooth comb to cause minimum damage to the hair. Further, you should replace things like metal barrettes and rough elastics with hair sticks and plastic clips.

2.Properly maintain your long hair and do not let your hairstylist shorten it against your will. Some stylists are habituated to cut the hair short, without any reason. Be on your guard and do not allow him to exercise his will.

3.Long hair needs special attention over its maintenance, as it is more porous and older. You should use gentle shampoo over it and avoid excessive use of conditioner, as it may hinder adequate cleansing. Deep protein treatment and use of moisturizers is good for long hair.

4.A healthy body ensures healthy hair growth. If you pay proper attention to a healthy diet and regular exercise, you are sure to have a beautiful and healthy hair as well.

5.Long hair adds to your look by offering myriad hairstyles that you cannot enjoy otherwise. Learn to carry it well. Further, you should carefully figure out damaged hair and trim it to have a purely healthy hair. Excessive use of blow-drier can mar the beauty of your long lustrous hair. Besides, chlorine and saltwater may damage it. Thus, a few helpful hair care tips aid to keep your hair long and beautiful.

5 Simple Weight & Health Watching Tips

1. Read The Labels Closely - You will often see labels such as "Half the calories!" or "Reduced fat!" Be careful with these and read the serving sizes. What a lot of these companies do is to reduce the serving size, not the actual amount of calories in their product. So yeah, you're only consuming half the amount of calories on this cool new redone product, but that is because you are only eating half the amount as you normally would.

2. Take Your Time Eating - This one is pretty simple. Take your time while eating, don't gulp tings down. If you have a nice leisurely meal, you will not eat as much as if you ate fast. Give your food time to digest and "kick in." If you take your time, you will notice that only 2 pieces of pizza will fill you up than the 3 or 4 that would if you gulped them down.

3. Keep It Out Of Your House - You really don't need that bag of candies, now do you? What's the simplest way to insure that you don't eat them? Don't buy them. If you don't have them sitting around your house than you will not be able to give into the temptation of eating them.

4. Have A Healthy Snack - It's 4 in the afternoon and you are getting hungry. Dinner won't be served for another 3 hours, and you need something to eat. Don't take out the chips bag or reach into the cookie jar. Rather, make yourself a nice little snack. An apple and a small chunk of cheese tastes very nice. Some cheese and pretzels do, too. A granola bar. A couple cheese and crackers. Maybe a nutragrain bar. The idea is to eat a healthy snack that will fill you up until the next meal, and not be constantly snacking.

5. Walk Your Dog - Do you have a dog? Well, all dogs need to be walked, even though a lot of owners don't do it. It not only provides great exercise, it is also refreshing and can provide other benefits. We're not talking about a long mile walk (though if you can, bravo), maybe just up a couple streets and back. Give yourself and your dog a chance to stretch your legs and work off a couple of calories. Meet some other people while you're at it and enjoy the outdoors!