Why Diets Fail?

How may diets have you tried recently?  I read an interesting article that basically states that every diet works, if we stay on the program.  Staying on an eating program is easy if it produces results, is easy to manage, has social support and if you have a maintenance program that works. Sounds simple-so why do 97% of the diets fail? Here are the latest stats about people who start a diet program:

39% of diets last less than a week

36% last less than a month

17% less than three months

8% over three months

We quit our diets for a number of reasons, but most of all , we quit because we have unrealistic expectations: we want immediate results and will agree to numerous unrealistic habit changes to make that happen.  Unfortunately, our enthusiasm fades as soon as we realize that the agreement was reached during a psychological meltdown and when we regain our senses, we realize that there is no way in hell that we can stick to this program.  Did you ever have a “super- sales-person” talk you into buying the new car, expensive dress, the latest haircut or start a seaweed smoothie diet?  As soon as you regained your senses,  it is a race to undo your decision.

Starting and maintaining a diet is like training for a marathon.  You will not be able to run 100 yards, if you think you can go from sedentary to running a marathon without any training–even the best mental training….positive thinking, visualizing, or dreaming of success will not help.  Success takes time and a commitment to your plan.

Training for a marathon teaches you to set small goals, and when achieved,  move on to the next step.  My first marathon training goal was to run a 5K,  and after that achievement, I moved my goal to run a 10k (6.1 miles).  Then, I got stupid, and went for a half marathon–a disaster. The body and the mind were not ready.  It takes a lot of commitment to be able to start a training process for a longer distance race.

We know one of the TV show “Biggest Loser” winners who lost more than half her body weight. She had extraordinary physical training for 8 plus hours a day and was on a severe restrictive diet.  The bad news: she regained the weight and had a strong emotional challenge as she regressed into her old habits.  Eventually, a good psychologist helped her set new small goals, put her on a realistic eating and physical training program and provided social support.  She took small steps and set realistic goals, and has been successful, at this writing,  keeping her weight in check for several years.

You need to figure out what works for you and what new habits you are willing to adopt.   Diet books, commercials that promise immediate results, and sales people for gym and weight management programs are paid to sell products–they are not concerned about your health. (they want you to fail so that they can sell you the next program).  Unfortunately, even if you are sold on a product, most likely your enthusiasm wanes faster than the arrival of the first payment.

Staying on an eating program and a physical fitness program is a life long commitment that takes time to become a regular part of your daily routine. It will not be an on + off switch, where you will miraculously have a new habit that changes your life.

So, the “health experts”  suggest the following: (suggestions on sub-bullets)

• Figure out what you want to achieve
  • retain mobility into the future
  • be healthy as possible
• Determine how much time and energy you have to start the new habit. Change takes time and energy.  You have to determine how much you can take on.  Remember most people take on too much and then get frustrated when they cannot keep up.
  • Start with some simple warm up steps  weighing yourself daily, drinking more water, walking the stairs one time a day, keeping a journal etc.  (I am publishing a list of starter activities next week)
• Prepare your environment
  • Move all junk food our of sight. Put out fresh fruit. Keep snacks out of site. Use smaller plates etc. (more to come)
• Join a group, find a partner/coach–support will help to get started and stay on track
  • Facebook/4qresolution (our Facebook Group)
  • YMCA, Church group
  • Yoga, CrossFit, KickBox, Running club, hiking club, etc.
• Keep track of how you are doing
  • Keep a simple journal to track progress, put check marks on calendars, start a excel spreadsheet.
• Try new things when you know you are ready.

Regardless of the getting-into-shape-plan you choose, there are two basic dietary habits that you should adopt–at every age:  First, eat protein at each meal and take a good multivitamin.  Research shows that we do not get enough protein,  especially if we skip breakfast–or any meal, and a good multi-vitamin is even more essential as we get older. If you are not getting enough protein an easy way to get protein is to drink a protein smoothie once a day. And, if you are not taking a vitamin scientist suggest that you incorporate a multi vitamin in our daily plan.  (Make sure you pick a reputable product- there are too many products that are ineffective.)  Do your research.

We recommend The Shaklee Life Plan Smoothie Shake and the Essential Vitamins (variety of price points) The links to the products are below and you will find important product information there.

https://patandjack.myshaklee.com/us/en/shop/healthyfoundations  

https://patandjack.myshaklee.com/us/en/shop/healthyfoundations/essentialsvitaminsandminerals

Call/contact Pat or me if you need more product information or if you need help getting started with your new habits.

Jack and Pat