Not all types of diet support are helpful. In fact, some can actually harm your health. Some diet pills, weight loss programs, dieting forums and even negative relationships offer the wrong type of support. It’s important to be aware of these negative substances and influences, and avoid them as much as possible.

Diet Pills and Your Health

Many diet pills undergo no FDA oversight. When you take them, you risk a wide range of health problems. Some of the side effects associated with harmful diet pills include organ damage, heart problems, breathing issues, anxiety and addiction. Always consult a medical professional before taking these substances. You want to make sure that they do not contain harmful ingredients. It is also important to limit your intake of such products, as excessive amounts of unnatural substances can lead to health problems.

Unsound Weight Loss Programs

Negative diet support can also come in the form of unsound weight loss programs. You might find yourself preached to by individuals who do not have adequate knowledge of nutrition nor knowledge of what it takes to keep the human body in optimal health. You can easily detect these types of programs because they usually push you to avoid entire food groups, drink all of your meals and/or consume very few calories. A healthy weight loss program will advocate well-balanced meals and encourage you to avoid extreme measures.

Unhealthy Dieting Forums

Online dieting forums are often very healthy venues for getting your questions answered and finding others who can relate to your challenges and dieting triumphs. There are, however, certain groups that you will want to avoid. Some sites are out to sell products or services and attract people with eating disorders. These types of forums often contain negative peer pressure.

Competitive Friends and Diet Support

Good, supportive friends can offer a very healthy form of diet support. Some individuals, however, can be overly competitive. If you share your dieting progress with a friend or loved one only to find that they belittle or one-up you, it may be time to seek out more supportive friends. You do not want to place yourself in a position of always feeling that you have not done enough. Or worse, you don’t want to feel pressured to go on an extreme diet or exercise too much just to impress your friends. This can be very challenging for both the mind and the body.

Healthy diet support usually consists of activities and interactions with people who encourage you and deliver sound weight loss practices. Seek out weight loss forums, support groups and dieting programs that pay attention to all aspects of health. You will know that you are getting the right diet support when you experience gradual weight loss, feel healthy and find yourself surrounded by people who recognize and applaud your efforts.

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Your psychological health is just as important as having a healthy body. Good mental health also makes it easier to stick to your diet regimen. Here are four tips to help you improve your psychological health.

1. Keep a Journal

You don’t have to be a writer to write every day. Studies show that the practice of writing is very therapeutic. Writing down your thoughts and feelings helps you to arrive at greater clarity. If you are experiencing relationship issues, a tough time at work or financial difficulty, you may be overwhelmed with a mix of emotions. Writing about these feelings often helps you to sort out the emotions and gain greater insight.

2. Meditate

Meditation is not just for the religious. At its simplest, meditation is the practice of allowing yourself some time to be still and quiet each day. When you live a busy life with many obligations, it can be difficult to unwind. Meditating daily gives your mind and body a break.

Design a daily meditation practice that feels right for you. Choose a time of day when you can limit distractions. If you have kids, for example, wake up earlier than they do in the mornings so that you have some quiet time. When meditating, focus on breathing deeply. It is natural for thoughts to pass through the mind about things you have to do or places you have to be. Just notice each thought and let it pass.

Some people find it helpful to play music in the background while they meditate. Others find an uplifting word, or mantra, that they repeat to help them focus internally. The impact of meditation is that it is relaxing and allows both sides of the brain to work together. It is not uncommon in the midst of meditation for people to find solutions to complex problems or experience relief from anxiety.

3. Exercise

Exercise is good for both the body and the mind. When you exercise regularly, your body releases endorphins, which improves your mood and your psychological health. Exercise is great for relieving stress and helping you to see the lighter side of things. Be sure to choose a fitness activity that you find enjoyable and can do at least several times per week. The enjoyment factor is important for staying motivated and consistent.

4. Enjoy the Outdoors

Spending time in nature has a therapeutic effect. Hanging out in a garden, walking along a body of water, hiking up a mountain or sitting on a beach can help to elevate your mood. When engaging in these activities, be sure to pay attention to your surroundings. When you are stressed out, it’s easy to stay lost in the mind. When you’re outdoors, really allow your senses to take in the smell of the flowers, the sounds of the birds, the color of the ocean and the feeling of the breeze on your body. Letting your senses take over is often helpful for relieving stress and letting go of repetitive thoughts.

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