Have a New Year's Resolution to Lose? Read This!

by WiredBerries Editors — January 1, 2008

Every year millions of people embark on a new diet as part of their New Year's resolutions. In fact, a 2005 study conducted by a popular weight loss franchise found that just under half of US women admit that losing weight was on their New Year's resolution list. Now that the holiday treats are out of sight, many find the fresh start of a new year a fitting time to start on a weight loss plan. Unfortunately, there are several factors that can sabotage the very best intentions. Here are the top reasons why diets fail, and how to choose a diet that will work.

3 Reasons Why Diets Fail

• Too Extreme--Diets eliminating an entire food group (such as carbohydrates) are not only difficult to follow, but aren't healthy in the first place. As a general rule of thumb, ask yourself, "Can I eat like this forever?" If the answer is "no," you are embarking on a "crash diet" that is eventually doomed to failure.

• Too Low--If a diet requires you to eat so few calories that you find yourself constantly hungry, you will eventual experience willpower blowout. Successful diets have enough calories that you don't have to go through prolonged and deep hunger. Consuming less than 1200 calories per day for an extended period of time is never a good idea.

• Too One-Sided--Don't embark on a weight loss regime, without plans to incorporate exercise, or your weight loss will likely hit a plateau. Regular exercise also increases the rate at which your body burns calories, helping you to see results faster than diet alone. Multiple research studies have concluded that the most successful diets include a combination of diet and exercise.

Beth Sumrell Ehrensberger, MPH, RD explains, "Dieters with long-term successes are proof that the best plans include adequate choices from a wide variety of foods, are flexible and reasonable, and partner with exercise and support from peers. A diet that encourages weight loss slowly over time will help you form better habits to make your diet the beginning of a lifetime of healthy eating."