After interviewing female dieters, California State University researchers at the Northridge and Long Beach campuses found that many either preferred simple, straightforward rules for slimming down, such as not eating after 8 pm, and those who prefer broader principles and skills they can put into practice, such as eyeballing portion sizes and planning weekly menus. Those who favor principles get a kick out of mastering weight-loss skills and planning because they view them as aids for fitting weight loss efforts into a busy, on-the-go schedule. Dieters who like hard-and-fast rules, on the other hand, typically write off those effort-intensive tactics, such as meal planning and calorie counting, as hassles unrealistic for day-to-day life; however, they like to be told exactly what to eat and other tricks, such as brush your teeth right after dinner. While the researchers concluded that being a fan of strategic planning is a better bet for life-long weight loss, there’s hope for dieters of all types. “Psychology is just one component of dieting,” says Jim Keller, PhD, a licensed psychologist who counsels patients at Weight Wise Bariatric Clinic in Oklahoma City. “Like so many health phenomena, it’s an interplay between biology, psychology, and the environment.” Keller suggests doing what you can to keep your environment healthy, like tossing your high-fat, high-sugar snack stash in your desk or kitchen pantry. As far as biology goes, keep hunger hormones in check by eating regular, balanced meals and lower your chances of bingeing on bad-for-you food. “There is not just one silver bullet,” Dr. Keller says. “I tell patients to tweak where they can in each of the three areas.” More from Prevention: 25 Worst Diet Tips Ever Kill Your Snacking Habit Lose 4 Pounds This Month
