Why Dieters Fail To Lose Weight, Weight Loss Survey:

Why Dieters Fail To Lose Weight

With overweight and obesity and current levels of obesity, weight control has become a major health priority across the United States.  Yet, statistics indicate that the average weight loss in a conventional diet adds up to only 5-8 pounds per year.  So why do we find dieting so difficult?  According to a new survey, we make 3 important mistakes.  We don’t have good enough motivation;  We allow ourselves to go hungry;  And we can’t deal with “bad days”. 

A weight loss survey conducted by annecollins.com asked dieters to choose the three biggest problems they faced while dieting.  The most common problems reported are: "Inadequate incentives for weight loss" (76%);  "Hunger" (72%);  And "bad days" (70%).  While these results are not surprising to most dieters, they highlight the importance of inspiration in the dieting process. 

We examine how these problems occur and what steps can be taken to overcome them.  Why do we need an incentive?  We gain weight because we consume more energy than we use.  Because we eat too many calories, or burn too little, or both.  So in order to lose weight, we need to improve our eating habits and exercise habits.  It's not easy, because let's face it - old habits aren't easy to break, especially if they involve cutting our favorite treats.  We need a strong motivation to help us change.  Specifically, we need answers to the question: "How do I benefit from losing weight?"  When faced with this question, many dieters have no answer. 

Those who do, usually answer: "I will feel better" or "my health will improve".  Others explain that they are trying to lose weight to please their doctor, or their partner, or simply because they are "extra" obese.  Unfortunately, none of these factors are helpful enough to help us succeed.  So when temptation strikes, we cannot resist.  What kind of incentive is best?  Motivation for us to lose weight must be based on a selfish, specific benefit.  A good example might be an upcoming beach holiday, or a family event, or achieving a specific mobility or fitness goal. 

It should be as specific as possible and ideally related to a specific date.  In addition, it must be selfish.  Weight loss will be followed by fatigue and constant tiredness.  The advice I give to my clients is very simple.  Don't bother dieting if you don't have good motivation.  Because without a reason to change your habits, no matter how good the diet, no matter how valuable the exercise plan, you will not succeed.  Hunger Kill Diet Most dieters are still convinced that calories are their enemy.  So the less they eat, the faster they are likely to lose weight.  This is not true.  In fact, the less we eat, the more hungry and tempted we become.  The human body is trained to eat when it is hungry, and no amount of willpower will neutralize this basic urge.  This is why eating hesitantly for a low calorie diet is a common reaction.  There is no rocket science here on how to avoid hunger. 

Avoiding hunger means eating regularly throughout the day and keeping your calorie intake above 1000-1200 per day.  It suppresses appetite, thus reducing the urge to overeat, and in addition helps maintain regular high calorie-burning levels.  Eat much more than eat very little, We all have days when we feel extra hungry, even when we are dieting.  It is always better to eat a little more than not enough.  This is not a problem - just eat more!  Could it delay your weight loss?  Yes.  But what is it?  In order to achieve your goals, it is important to eat as well as exercise. 

The real danger is not eating enough and being hungry and depressed.  This is a recipe for a binge.  Bad days and the problem of perfection. No dieter is perfect.  The truth is, not all dieters feel "bad" or tempted at times.  Sadly, most dieters insist on being "perfect."  They cannot tolerate these deficits.  So if you say they meet a friend and finish eating two cups of ice cream and a box of cookies, they fall apart.  "I'm of no use!"  They cry.  "I failed!"  Overwhelmed by the guilt of not being perfect, they then get upset and give up their eating habits.  It's the guilt that hurts In this situation, the real dilemma isn't usually fairly harmful.  I mean, even to gain a pound of weight, we need to eat plenty of food (3500+ calories).  The actual damage is caused by subsequent guilt.  And this is what we need to address.  Guilt comes from trying to be perfect.

All dieters make mistakes and this is completely normal.  Sometimes worrying is not a cause for fear, much less guilt.  Even my most successful clients - who lost 100+ pounds - had regular errors.  The difference is, they don't see themselves as "perfect."  So they sometimes feel "right" to make mistakes, and you should too.  Once you accept this, you will find dieting much easier.  We need support to make these changes To overcome the 3 problems described above, an essential first step is to find the right support. 

This is just as important as choosing the right diet plan, because no matter how good the diet is, it can't keep you on track - only people can do it.  Dieting is ten times easier when you get encouragement from others.  So when choosing an online weight loss program, choose one with an active forum.  Because at the end of the day, it’s about people.  When we are alone and isolated, the smallest obstacle can seem like a mountain.  But when we have people behind us, everything is possible.