Why Do Diets Fail?

Why do over 80% of people that try to lose weight fail? Why do 40% quit within the first 7 days? Why do 20% quit within a month? Why do only 20% make it to a three month mark?

The sad fact is, most overweight people are destined to stay that way, unless they get educated about processed food, sugar and wheat . Some are stuck in a cycle of yo-yo dieting, never really committing to a whole-foods lifestyle change involving regular exercise.

Here's why:

• Most people have very little knowledge of which foods cause weight gain. This is a major problem! Most people don't know what processed foods contain, or what the hidden sugars are. Foods labeled “low-fat” or “reduced fat” aren't always a healthy choice because they’re full of artificial sweeteners, chemicals, and artificial colors. Read the labels! Learn about the food you eat. Know the difference between proteins and carbs. Healthy nutrition might not have been taught at school in your time, so now it’s time to get educated. It's your life and your health… and the health of your children that’s at stake!

• People start a fad diet which more often than not involve eliminating certain food groups. This is so unhealthy, not to mention unrealistic for long term weight loss.

• Most people focus only on their diet and forget to make sure they get enough night sleep. Most people also don’t include exercising as part of their “diet,” either. It’s important to eat well, sleep well, and exercise in order to achieve and maintain weight loss!

• Some fad diets eliminate carbs and the body goes into starvation mode, making it almost impossible for you to resist the urge to eat the food you were used to. Long-term weight control is a lifetime commitment. Learn how to include celebratory meals, because they prevent cravings.

• People see their diet as a momentary solution, not a lifestyle change. That's why they inevitably return to their old eating habits.

• People don't track their progress. Or they do, but they have unrealistic expectations. You didn't gain weight overnight, so don't expect to lose it overnight. Don't get discouraged and abandon the diet.

• Slow metabolism might a problem for some people, which means weight loss will occur more slowly. You burn fewer calories and the diet becomes less effective. Don't get discouraged. If you have a slow metabolism, pay attention to the advice for how to speed it up.

• People always have many excuses. They blame their age, their metabolism, their busy schedule and pretty much anything else.

• Some people don't get moral support from their friends and family. "C'mon, eat it, you'll diet tomorrow!” or "You look fine, you don't need a diet!” are what we hear. We’ve all heard these sayings. I'm more prone to over-eat when I'm among friends or family that behave like that. And I know that I'm less likely to over-eat when I'm among strangers; I would feel embarrassed. Stay firm, stay determined, and tell friends and family firmly that you have decided to take your life and your health into your hands and that over-eating will destroy your efforts to change. When dealing with my friends and family, I mentioned that, since dieting, I feel more energetic, I sleep better, my stomachaches have disappeared, I'm more productive at work, and I no longer have back pain. Most people, after hearing these positive points, will understand you and start supporting you.

• Some people lack ambition. Period.

• Many folks fail to comprehend that they must focus on a diet that provides them with all the valuable nutrients that ensure the correct functioning of their body. A weight-loss diet must be low in calories, not low in nutrients and vitamins. Minerals and amino acids play an essential role for your overall health and well-being. If you do not fuel your body properly, you will feel hungry throughout the day and you will eventually give up and binge on food. Do not play down your hunger, as it can be your worst enemy.

• Many people pick the wrong exercises to do. You don't need to devote hours in the gym or do something you find totally boring to lose weight. When exercise becomes a chore, that's when most people give up. 80% of calories you lose comes from changing your eating habits with only 20% coming from exercising. Some exercise is good, more is better, but everything counts, even a 5-minute walk or doing household chores.

• Some people don't seek help. Getting advice from a dietician can make all the difference. Knowing which foods to eat and which workouts are the most effective are vital.

• Drastic diets or diets that are too strict can activate mood swings, headaches, physical and mental exhaustion, irritability, digestive upset, and brain fog. But changing your diet should leave you feeling happy, energized and light.

• Feeling hungry 10 minutes or even an hour after you have eaten might indicate other problems. Chronic hunger generally indicates that your diet is imbalanced or insufficient, which can cause your body to store energy, and resist weight loss. If you feel hungry all the time during a diet, this means you're not eating foods that boost satiety. Lean protein, fiber-loaded veggies and some good fat should fix that. Again, 280 calories from a candy bar and 280 calories from a lean protein meal with a large fiber-loaded salad are not the same! Protein and fiber-loaded salad will leave you a lot fuller!

• Tradition. We usually celebrate over meals, we bond over meals, we comfort ourselves over meals and we entertain over meals. Celebrate by pampering yourself with a spa or massage treatment. Bond by going on a hike together. Comfort yourself with other things.

• Some diets are based on prepackaged food and portion control. This won’t work over a long term.

• Did you know that the quantity of calories in 1lb (.45kg) of body fat is equal to 3,500 calories? That means that you have to eat 3,500 fewer calories than usual in order to lose 1 pound.

• One gram of carbs has 4 calories, one gram of protein has 4 calories, one gram of fat has 9 calories, and one gram of water or insoluble fiber has 0. So, plan accordingly, but remember that you need some fats every day, so don’t exclude them completely. Fat boosts satiety.

• If you're wondering how many calories you should eat for successful weight loss, here are the ballpark numbers. Aim for 500 calories lower than the amount of calories you burn daily. Of course, that amount varies between people leading a sedentary life and active people. I'd say that women should take between 1200-1400 calories per day for a healthy weight loss. Don’t go below 1200. Men should not go below 1500 calories per day; the suggested amount is 1600-1800 .

• For people who exercise at least 10 minutes per day, the number of carbs per day should be kept between 100 and 150. That means that you can eat a lot of fruits and veggies and you'll be fine. If you aim for a healthy weight loss, eat 50-100 grams of carbs per day. That is the amount suggested in the Superfoods Diet – Phase 1. If you eat less than 50 grams per day, you're basically low-carbing, and you might experience side effects. I don't recommend doing that.