Top 10 Diet Blunders

Jan. 14 -- Only three weeks into the new year and many Americans are already raising the white flag in their battle with one of the most popular resolutions — sticking to the diet.

In fact, studies show that 90 percent to 95 percent of people break their diet resolution, with most resolutions broken by the end of February.

Just why do new year's dieters find it so difficult to take on the task of eating in a more healthful way?

ABCNEWS.com turned to two of its diet experts, Linda Blarjeske, a clinical registered dietitian at Oregon Health and Science University in Portland, Ore., and Debbie Pesicka, a registered dietitian at the University Medical Center in Tuscon, Ariz., for their top 10 list of classic diet blunders.

Experts consider these tips the "fine print" that should accompany any diet resolution. If you've already abandoned 2002's resolution, this list should help you get back on track.

1. Forbidding Foods

Blarjeske: One of the main areas that lead to diet cheating is the dreaded forbidden food list. Giving up your favorite foods, can be the downfall of any diet and lead to craving and bingeing.

2. Self-Deprivation

Blarjeske: If you restrict your calories too much this can lead to feelings of hunger and deprivation. And what can be worse than feeling deprived of a food? This mistake also leads to craving and likely bingeing.

3. No Realistic Goals

Pesicka: A classic diet mistake is not setting a goal. Write it down — and make it realistic. To say, 'I want to lose 10 pounds every week for the first six weeks of 2002,' is not realistic. To say, 'I want to lose a half to one pound a week,' is much more realistic. If you have written it down and if you look at that goal every once in a while, that recommits the goal to your memory and to your focus.

4. Drinking in the Calories

Blarjeske: We forget that drinking that glass of red wine with our dinner or drinking non-fat milk or juice during the day has calories in it. These calories may significantly affect any weight loss that you may want. So stick to the good old standby — water. If you don't like the flavor, try a water filter, or maybe add a little lemon or lime into it.