Overcome Six Diet Mistakes

Have you ever confidently gotten on the scale certain you have lost a pound, only to slink away in defeat? You may be inadvertently derailing your diet with one of these six diet-ending mistakes.

By Stephanie Karpinske, M.S., R.D.

You started so determined to eat healthfully and lose weight. You exercised almost every day, cheerfully skipped desserts, and ate plenty of fruits and vegetables. The weight started to drop.

But now, when you step on the scale, the number just won't budge. Sure, you might lose a pound one week, but the next week, it's back on.

Instead of getting frustrated and going back to old eating habits, take charge of this slowdown. It's a great time to step back and take a critical look at your efforts.

See if you make one--or more--of these mistakes that sabotage even the most earnest dieters. The good news is that all of these mistakes are fixable. The first step is being aware of them.