Why Some Diets Fail and Others Dont

A life long commitment to finding and maintaining your optimal weight is the key to keeping the extra pounds off. If you don't change the way you think about food and the way you react to it, most diets will fail. You may (and most likely will) lose weight, but as soon as you go back to your old lifestyle the weight will come back. Long Term weight loss is a matter of conditioning. Of starting with small changes and gradually added more as you go along. This allows not only your body, but you mind as well come to accept and even enjoy the healthy benefits of your weight loss.

Don't despair! Changing your life style is not as difficult as it sounds. Most short term diets fail because you are suddenly faced with a long list of “don'ts”. It's negative right from the get go! A long term diet – a life style changing diet, however, focuses on the positive aspects of losing weight. Of feeling good, energized and ready and willing to fight to maintain that energy and positive outlook.

Look at the differences between short term (eventual failure) diets and long term (or successful for life) diets. It's a simple matter of what the diet plan wants you to focus on. Going through you day telling yourself “I can't have this” or I can't have that”, is a negative attitude. Whereas going through your day and telling yourself that “I feel so good today” or I reached this week's goal” - are positive attitudes.

Short term: Focus on the “don't” - Don't eat this, don't eat that.
Long Term: focus on the “do” - Do eat 5-6 smaller meals, DO incorporate some of your favorite foods into your diet.

Short Term: Swear off favorite foods – forever!
Long Term: Concentrate on making healthier choices – find a way to transform your favorite foods into healthier versions.

Short Term: Focus on denial – again, don't eat this, don't do that
Long Term: Focus on feeling better, healthier and more energized

Short Term: Set “one” answer “for life” goals – what is your final target weight
Long Term: Establish FLEXIBLE, short term, ATTAINABLE goals, ie: 2 week target, 6 week target etc.

Short Term: Promise immediate results – (30 pounds in 30 days!)
Long Term: Delivers success gradually – (1-2 pounds a week after the first week best)

Short Term: Allow no room for slip ups – NEVER allowed to stray
Long Term: Leave room for indulgences – everyone deserves a piece of cake once in a while!

Short Term: Ban some foods – no meat allowed or no breads
Long Term: Encourage variety – eat the proper proportions of all food groups

Short Term: Emphasize food – long lists of “allowed” foods, what you can and cannot eat
Long Term: Emphasize healthy eating and exercise – incorporates both eating AND exercise habits into your new life style

Short Term: Are extreme – promise fast results, but require drastic measures
Long Term: Are gradual – promise slower results, but are more “doable” for a lifetime

It's pretty obvious that the short term diet plans are just a disaster waiting to happen. At best a rapid fire way to lose some pounds, but pounds that will be back shortly after going off the diet – and remember, these pounds will be even more difficult to take off the second time!

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