Dieting is something all of us have done at one point or another in our lives, or at least something we have thought about doing. However, many diets fail and for a variety of reasons. Many times it is the human factor, which includes eating to satiate a need, a love and overabundance of certain foods, or the inability to understand portion control. Other times it is the diet program we choose, which might alienate a specific food group, have super strict guidelines or just don’t fit into our lifestyle.
Some of the top reasons that diets, especially “trend” diets fail are:
* Diets deprive us creating a battle of “will power.” Many diets involve eliminating certain foods or even whole food groups. This is not only unhealthy but also unrealistic for the long term.
* Diets often don't fit into our day-to-day lives. Weighing, measuring food and counting points may help you lose weight, but aren't practical as long-term strategies for most people.
* Diets can be costly. Buying special foods or into special diet programs can rack up a big bill quickly. When the money runs out, it may lead you to quitting the program.
* Diets can actually lower your metabolism. When you drastically cut back on calories, your metabolism tends to slow down and goes into “starvation mode.” If your body feels it is at risk for starving, it will burn calories slower and store fat as a way to protect itself.
* Diet only plays a small part in weight loss. Long term weight loss and management is not just about what you eat, it requires incorporating exercise into your daily life, as well. Experts recommend 60-90 minutes a day most days of the week.
Many times we gain weight for one reason or another and feel that dieting is a quick fix. Many times we do lose the weight, but often gain back the pounds within the next few years because we did not utilize dieting as a lifestyle change or even look deeper into why we were overeating in the first place. If you eat when you are depressed, stressed or for comfort, those issues will still arise—dieting or not. It’s best to deal with those issues head on so that you use different healthy coping skills when the need to fill a void arises, otherwise you will continue to fall back on what is most comfortable and easy for you.
Creating a lifestyle modification that leads to permanent changes in eating habits and exercise are what will make your ability to lose weight and keep it off a success. Diets are simply a temporary fix to a long-term problem. Some of the ways you can be successful at losing weight are:
* Avoiding hunger: Eat small frequent meals throughout the day.
* Include foods that are slower to digest in your meals: Ccarbs are fast, proteins are slow.
* Correct your bad eating habits: Eating to satiate a need, eating on the run, skipping meals, etc.
* Incorporate a fitness program that is easily workable into your lifestyle.
By avoiding the pitfalls of dieting and educating yourself on how to lose weight effectively, will make you the most successful at achieving weight loss for the long term.
