Diet Trouble-Shooting Guide

Problem/Symptom

Possible Cause/Remedy

Anger

It's normal to feel a bit cranky and angry during weight loss. We're angry with ourselves for gaining weight and having to lose it; we're not happy about our limited and bland diet - and we want the unwanted weight off NOW. Try shifting the negative to positive. Rather than focus on how unhappy you are right now, think about all the great things that losing weight will bring into your life!  Sometimes losing equals gaining - good things.

Appetite/Hunger Pains/Urge to Go off Diet NOW

1 cup of frozen fruit may help curb appetite. It takes a long while to eat and is low in calories and fat. Another solution might be to enjoy some fresh vegetables with a bit of no calorie butter spray such as Parkay.

Bad Breath

Chewing on parsley sometimes works well on ridding bad breath.  Other things that work to fight bad breath include peppermint tea, sage tea.

Burping

Diets for weight loss are generally filled with gassy foods. Turnips, cabbage, broccoli, melon - all are low in calories and are commonly lodged in most weight loss plans. Try adding Beano to your daily routine which should help knock out the gas.  As time goes by, your system should better adjust making gas less of a problem.

Bloating, Gassy

Common in diets rich in beans, fresh greens and is often associated with dairy products when the individual experiences lactose intolerance. The OTC medications might quell lactose-related issues.  For bloating, consider a product such as Gas-X.

Constipation

Incorporate fresh vegetables and fruit into your daily diet; make sure you're drinking your 8 cups of water per day; activity also helps in getting the bowels to moving.

Emotional Changes, Irritability, Can't Keep Still, Trembling, Shaking, Heart Racing

You want to get off your diet, but then you want to stay on your diet.  You feel torn in ten different directions.  We recommend under these conditions that you get with your doctor.

Many times, an individual goes on a diet and a hidden disorder often rears its ugly head.  While dieting, some conditions, such as diabetes and heart disease may present life-threatening symptoms to the individual.

A caveat about diet pills.  Many diet pills can do a number on emotions.  Get with your doctor asap if you experience a higher-than-normal level of vacillating emotions.

Hair Loss

The diet may be too restrictive, particularly in fat intake.

Soreness/Achy

Commonly experienced in the individual who unaccustomed to exercise. Two Ibuprofen before exercise may lesson or stop soreness before it begins in some individuals.

Generally, our muscles strengthen and adjust to the new activity - but it takes time.

If you continue to experience soreness, you may need to adjust your workout plan.

Weight Gain

Common in many dieters.  If weight gain persists re-examine your diet plan.  Does it contain too many calories?  Sometimes, a diet that is too LOW in calories may spurn weight gain for a short time as the body regroups.

Weight Loss Plateau

Diet Bites has a ton of articles that explain and assist the dieter with the weight loss plateau. We recommend that you start here.