The Checkup: 5 Reasons People Abandon Their Diets in Less than a Week

And how to stay on track!

• Here’s a depressing statistic: Only 20 percent of people who decide to begin dieting make it to the three-month mark, according to new research. And get this, two out of five people quit within the first week. If you’re trying to change your eating habits (go you!), check out these five reasons most people fail at their diets and learn how to steer clear of the pitfalls. [Health]

• It’s Thursday, which means by now your desk is probably a total disaster area. Here’s what a messy desk says about you. (Uh-oh.) [New York Times]

• If you’ve got a trip to the ACME in your future, take this healthy grocery-shopping list along for the ride. These smart staples could save you in a pinch. [Fitness Magazine]

• Suffering from arthritis pain? Ugh, I don’t envy you. But here’s something worth noting: If you get serious about your weight-loss efforts and lose 10 percent of your body weight or more, you’ll see some serious pay off in the form of less arthritic pain in your knees, according to a new study. [HealthDay]

• Don’t throw away the seeds! Pumpkin seeds, that is. Here are three creative ways to eat them. [Self.com]

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