Is long term weight loss possible?

Studies show, time after time, that around 98% of people who lose weight gain it all back again within 2 years, with many going on to gain extra weight. There are so many recommendations for “the perfect diet”, and the phrase “it's not a diet, it's a lifestyle” is often used. This is partially true, but it depends on whose lifestyle you're talking about. In the US over 80 million people are overweight, and they need life long help in losing weight, and then maintaining a healthy weight. So what are the 2%, who do achieve permanent weight loss, doing differently? These people who successfully lose weight, and keep it off, have managed to change their habits. There are many barriers in changing habits, and they have learned how to overcome these barriers and implement new habits. The only way that you can make a diet successful in the long term is to learn how you can be flexible in what you eat, and to understand what foods you put in your body. And sorry, but there is no quick fix - just like everything else in your life, you need to put effort in. So instead of seeing it as a struggle, the best way to go is to see your diet as a learning opportunity. Yes, there are so many studies out there, so many helpful results, but no-one has conducted a diet study on your body. You need to be able to understand your body. Pay close attention to how you feel after you eat certain foods - do you feel energized and positive, or tired, or stressed, or moody? When you start learning about nutrition, you will find it much easier to recognize what effects different foods have on you, and you can then make the best food choices for your body. Don't worry, it's not a “back to school” kind of learning! Just start questioning what you're eating, what foods you like, what makes you feel good or bad. Just because you cannot see exactly what's happening inside your body when you eat does not mean that nothing is happening! Your food and drink are the energy that fuels your body. Imagine your car for a moment - if you take good care of it and put in good quality fuel then it will run great, if you neglect it and give it bad quality fuel then it will start causing problems. Food is our fuel and our medicine, if you give your body the nutrients it needs you will be amazed at how healthy you will be! Think for a moment, how much education did you get for your career? You learned and studied and became an expert at what you do. But why are we so often too scared to learn the truth about what we are eating? So what steps can you take now? First, learn what is really in the food you are eating. Read the label carefully - and remember that if you can't pronounce or you don't understand what's in your food then your body probably won't understand it either! Remember too that the best, most natural and nutritious food has no label and just one ingredient. Start searching for the ingredients. Google them and really understand what's in your food. Give your body enough time between your meals to digest properly. This is almost like a mini intermittent-fasting cycle - when your body has digested the food it will start looking for an alternative energy source, and that will help your body to use your fat storage as energy and burn fat. Try to add nutrient-rich foods to your diet, such as taro or sweet potato, dark green leafy veggies, or low sugar fruits like papaya or strawberries. You won't feel so hungry, and your energy levels will improve. Take it just one step at a time, focus just on what you're doing today. Over time you will see the big steps. And if you fail one time then just tell yourself that you made a small mistake, question what happened and why, and then move on quickly. You can learn from your mistakes and improve yourself. And always remember: you are unique. Don't follow someone else's diet or lifestyle. There are so many things in life more important than just thinking about your food or your diet all the time. Now relax, and start learning - this new learning should become the last “diet” you ever need!