1. Refusing to learn from experiences.
2. Believing that there is indeed a 'magical and quick' way to burn fat.
3. Not taking care of yourself. Depending on others to do this.
4. Being critical of yourself. Losing fat is about making progress, not about achieving perfection.
5. Eating too much at one time.
6. Eating after a long gap.
7. Taking a 'drink beer and laze around' holiday.
8. Expecting results in the first week.
9. 'Overdoing it and pushing yourself too far, to do whatever it takes.'
10. Not realising that there is much more to life than how much you weigh.

Ten things that can take you forward on the path to staying fit

1. Cook something for yourself once every week. If you can't cook, learn to cook, even if it's simple rice and dal. It will put you in touch with your kitchen and is an expression of love and compassion toward yourself. (Women, please cook a dish that is your favorite, not your spouse's, child's or neighbour's.)
2. Maintain silence as a regular practice. It could be a fixed hour or a few minutes every day, or an entire day once a month. If this is not possible, at least give up on three or four sentences (that you would normally not hold back). But plan and stay with it. The tongue has to know that you are in control. (The tongue is also the main organ that controls what we eat, and we have to show our tongue who's the boss!)
3. Go without salt once every month. So eat according to the four principles, but just cut the salt from your diet. (Do this a day before that big party, for best results.)
4. Wake up just a little earlier than you are used to. And sleep just a little earlier too; 30 minutes is a good place to start.
5. Try and adopt the crosslegged posture while eating.
6. Also the squatting posture while relieving yourself.
7. Keep up your favorite hobby, whatever it is; cricket, sitar, painting, acting, dancing or reading. Even an investment of as little as an hour a month makes life richer.
8. Take a Himalayan holiday and get off the touristy route -- TREK. Great way to meet interesting people, and to be near untouched meadows, peaks and streams.
9. Learn something new every year. Keeps you young from within and it shows on the body. Being young is a state of mind where you feel free to be inquisitive and even stupid.
10. Get your family and friends to support you on your journey to getting fitter and leading a fulfilling life.

Got a question? Ask Rujuta Diwekar

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Also see: 'Fats play a big role in our body'

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