One of the more frustrating aspects of dieting is the possibility of the weight returning once you stop dieting. There are many weight loss programs to choose from. How do you know which one will work for you?
Choose wisely, don't set yourself up to fail
It's important to choose a weight loss plan that fits with your lifestyle. If you decide on a weight loss plan that involves eating lots of foods that you don't like, you won't be able to stick with it for long. Instead of being concerned about whether a diet is low carb or low fat or... free yourself from trying to eat in a way that is unsustainable over the long term. Beware of embarking on a diet that is boring or feels like punishment, that is no way to live your life.
I recommend you use your common sense when you choose a diet plan, opt for a plan that you are willing to commit to and can enjoy and you will have a much better chance of losing weight and keeping the weight off.
Why diets fail
When you understand why diets fail, you can make sure you avoid the pitfalls and give yourself the best possible chance of success.
Lack of long-term commitment
Most people know that if they want to lose weight they need to use more calories than they take in. In the short term, burning more calories than you eat will lead to weight loss, but your goal isn't just to lose weight, you want to keep it off.
Recent studies have shown that when popular commercial diets were compared over a 6-month period, they generally resulted in the same weight loss results. One major study concluded that the main success ingredient was determination to stick with the diet, rather than the diet itself.
The bottom line is that even though some diets are healthier than others, or do a better job of helping you to feel full rather than hungry all the time, most diets result in weight loss in the short term. The most important factor in weight loss success is commitment to stick with the diet plan until you achieve the results you want.
Change of lifestyle is the key to long term success
The bottom line is that if you want to lose weight permanently you need to make small adjustments to your life style. You can't achieve permanent weight loss without planning how you will manage your weight loss long term. If you don't have a long term plan then you will probably put the weight back on and you might eventually even find that you're heavier than when you started your weight loss programme.
There is no magic weight loss bullet, but if you plan your weight loss strategy before you begin your weight loss programme you will have a very good chance of achieving your weight loss goals. Planning ahead and having a strategy for overcoming obstacles is the real secret. to dieting success.
Action Steps
- Explore your options and choose a workable plan
- Plan what you will do and when you will do it
- Identify possible obstacles
- Plan how you will deal with these obstacles when they arise
- Plan to change one thing each week to support your permanent weight loss efforts
