Why Do So Many Diets Fail?

The statistics on weight loss are pretty scary. Over and over you will see reports of studies where people lost a lot of weight and then regained all or most of it.

Even when people have had surgery that is supposed to make it impossible for them to overeat, a significant percentage of those people manage to get fat again.

Why does this happen, and how can you avoid having it happen to you?

There are two things that you can do right now that will help to make sure that your weight stays off.

The first is to see your food plan as a change in your way of eating, rather than a diet.

The plan should become something that you enjoy following. Focus on variety and on making the most of the acceptable foods by experimenting with new recipes. Add herbs and spices. Try an unfamiliar food.

Most of the best weight loss programs build in a gradual progression toward a maintenance plan, so that as you approach your goal you are slowly adding back more foods.

Many people skip this, thinking that they will lose weight faster if they restrict their choices for a longer time. This is a big mistake. Those people almost always start to binge and regain their weight, often long before they reach their goal.

The second important point is to have a fitness program or exercise routine that you enjoy. Those last words are important: you must enjoy the exercise that you do.

Some people like to walk or run. Others like to join a gym or a class and have social contact at the same time that they work out.

What is important is that you actually look forward to the time that you spend in physical activity. That way, you will still want to do it even when you are slim and the motivation to lose weight is not there any more.

Studies show that those who incorporate a fitness plan into their weight loss program will keep off the weight for longer.