Nearly 70% of the U. S. population suffers from overweight or obesity. When people finally decide the road to ongoing weight gain must change, they focus their attention on food plans designed for weight loss. Although this seems to be a logical approach, it fails to achieve LONG TERM results greater than 95% of the time. With this fact known, human behavior typically chooses to follow the path of failure anyway!
WHY?
“It’ll be different this time!” Frequently, the individual justifies a dietary plan they’ve previously used and “successfully” lost weight with. The problem for 95% of the people using this strategy, however, is not the ability to lose weight, but rather the ability to maintain weight loss.
“It’ll be different this time, because I know where I went wrong last time.“
It won’t be different (for a large majority of people) because LONG TERM weight loss (and ultimately maintenance) does not center around FOOD. Long term weight loss requires addressing multiple issues we tend to avoid. Food simply provides a temporary “fix” needed to continue avoiding these issues. If you believe dietary restrictions or changes in dietary habits are the only tool necessary for attaining weight loss AND long term weight maintenance, you will likely find yourself in the 95% category that fail over and over again.
What is a better alternative?
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Find “someone” (a professional) with a proven record who knows how to identify the various components leading to poor lifestyle choices and weight gain.
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Develop a realistic PLAN OF ACTION with that “someone” who knows how to address these problem areas without interfering with life’s daily responsibilities.
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Use that “someone” in times of conflict/crisis to overcome obstacles. It is commonly these obstacles that contribute to emotional eating (and/or excessive alcohol consumption) that sabotage gains and transition you back into damaging lifestyle behaviors resulting in weight gain.
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Look at professional quality guidance as a positive tool rather than a sign of personal weakness. The quality professional will help YOU find your own answers/solutions necessary to achieving long term weight loss. These answers/solutions (rather than food) are used to fill the missing voids in your life. This results in greater self confidence and improved self esteem.
Usually, people like simple easy options. These steps I’ve listed provide an “easy” option compared to typical choices chosen by the overweight and obese. The professional is able to uncover mistakes much earlier in the process preventing irreversible harm that would likely compromise the long term goal. This priceless skill contributes to ongoing forward progress which would otherwise be impossible. Without the professional, these missteps tend to reverse progress causing one to revert to past patterns of harmful behaviors. These harmful behaviors cause even greater weight gain while reducing one’s quality of life.
It takes time and patience to unmask and resolve the various components contributing to the dilemma of recurring weight gain. Every failed attempt makes the next one that much more difficult. If you want to be able to say AND MEAN,
“It’ll be different this time, because I know where I went wrong last time“
you will not reach for a dietary plan as the LONG TERM solution (by itself.) You will find a qualified professional able to guide you through the PROCESS and the TRANSITION to a lifestyle you will come to cherish and look forward to living.
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Following previously “successful” dietary plans is the common option (although it consistently fails long term!)
Following professional quality guidance (outlined in this article) is the easier option (long term!)
All About Healthy Choices 
I like your post 😊.
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Thank you.
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Take a look on my last post and follow me if you like it 😀.
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I’ll gladly take a look. Is it fair to assume you read nearly every post of those you follow?
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😉
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Very good advice…I think there is too much fixation on diets and most are fads…You are correct that it is lifestyle changes and professional help is needed to help find out what your triggers are…
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People lack patience and diets make attractive weight loss claims. Of course, you never see them advertising LONG TERM success. Maybe that’s because they’re designed like a “revolving door.” You lose weight, gain it (and more) back and then go back on the diet. It’s residual income for them.
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It’s big business for them…I just wish people would see that you don’t need diets you need healthy, proper food and moderation but I suppose it is an addiction and a comfort and many have nothing but food to offer that comfort…
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One reason is because people are not raised learning to discover their passions and purpose in life. These add meaning and quality to individual life. It also prevents one from pursuing self destructive patterns of behavior.
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Such a shame…my belief has always been that if you ask the question you should get an answer not just because ” I said so” That is my pet hate..truly…Even the very youngest child if they ask..You just answer as clearly as you can and with as much info as they can understand at that time..It teaches them it is ok to ask and I have had some very interesting conversations with my children and grandchildren and children ask some amazing questions because their thoughts are free and contain no prejudices we can learn a lot from children and their minds know no bounds…I have also had the comment from school teachers ” they always ask questions” Yes, that is why you are there..lol….I am rambling again you bring that out in me Dr J ….
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You are not rambling; you are full of thought and content that needs to be unloaded. I appreciate that and welcome it! 🙂
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Excellent. The Mister has weight issues and tried unsuccessfully in the past to lose weight. Then he started more or less doing this method you’ve outlined and he’s already lost about 70 lbs!
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I love success stories. I’m so glad he found a protocol addressing the bigger picture called HEALTH that resolves weight problems through realistic lifestyle changes and common sense living. Please congratulate him for me!
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Thanks. He has a ways to go yet, but he is greatly encouraged by his success.
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Awesome post! You are so right it has to be something that will work on a daily basis!
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Thank you for your encouraging words of support.
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Great advice. Long term goals are necessary and how to reach them not so simple to do.
I do also see this here in Spain and worst, I see lots of kids and young people, who are overweight. Here it is the culture, that needs a change too. Kids are often taken care of by their Grannies, both before school and then after school time. They start school here at 3 years old. Grannies do often expect the parents to raise their kids, even if they are many more hours in Granny’s company, which give some troubles about eating.
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This is one reason I encourage professional help. It takes experience to understand just how complicated health problems can be including weight management. Most people focus on the symptom (eating food) and NOT the CAUSE(S). The professional understands this and develops a comprehensive plan of action that resolves underlying issues removing the need to turn to food when difficulties arise.
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Your caption couldn’t be more accurate. I have been in this exact situation and yes, I couldn’t maintain my weight which resulted from food cuts. Well, being a foodie did not help and anxiety kicked in after I gained the weight which I lost. I felt really insecure which was bad for my confidence. I stopped caring about dressing well because I didn’t like my body.
I felt bad and compared myself to my peers. Then a craze ensued with different diets springing up and almost everyone I knew subscribed to them. Knowing what I wanted for myself at this point, I refused to be lured into a lifestyle I couldn’t maintain and decided instead that I’ll eat healthy and incorporate exercise. I don’t regret that decision. Thank you for regularly reminding us of the healthy lifestyle changes we can make for a better quality of life.
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Thank you for reading, commenting and sharing your story. It is people like you (willing to reveal personal conflict) that validates these messages and encourages those seeking help to find legitimate answers. Understanding that weight management is simply a small part of an entire HEALTH strategy is vital. Long term health improvements (including weight reduction) is simply the END RESULT; it should never be the GOAL. As you have learned through trial and error, diet strategies typically achieve short term change (if any at all.) As people come to learn that “LIFESTYLE” is not simply a buzz word, but rather an essential component for achieving long term weight loss and improved overall health, they will begin to see it in a positive manner. Many today only see it as a lifestyle of deprivation. It all starts by creating the right MINDSET to proceed forward. Congratulations on your success and your journey toward greater awareness and quality living!
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Good advice, the only problem is I suspect most people could not afford professional help (though if they are in a position to do so it would be better than paying doctors bills etc.)
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I’m a professional who charges ZERO DOLLARS and I’m sure I’m not the only one. I’ve mentioned this in my posts many times. I’m sure people are skeptical because nothing in this world is free. What they don’t understand is I do expect compensation, in the form of “paying it forward”. I expect them to apply their success as they help other people achieve success as well. Seeing lives transform from depression to exuberance surpasses monetary compensation in my eyes. It creates a legacy I hope to pass on from generation to generation.
Sometimes as people begin to realize “real help” is available, it scares them into realizing their excuses no longer apply. This is the point where MINDSET meets the road. For those ready to transform their lives, the journey begins; for those preferring status quo, new excuses are devised.
People, however, have to be willing to reach out for help. I have no interest or right to force anyone to alter their lives.
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I can attest to the fact that I have gotten two invaluable pieces of FREE Professional advice from you Doc, and am all the way in Cameroon Africa
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Thank you Marie. There are two reasons I’ve discovered that people don’t ask for help.
1. They don’t trust free advice. They believe there is a catch.
2. They’re not ready to change their ways. Without the right MINDSET, “free” offers no benefit.
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Indeed Doc, I think you genuinely ask for help if you are fed up with the old. Then you gotta be ready to do the new if the help requires that of you. Maybe people will rush for Free if included no work on their part? I however will try out getting free advice afterall what do I lose? I mean am not obliged to take it and implement it you know. Alas; to each their waterlool
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Well God bless you for that! Though we have our National Health Service here in the UK which is free few doctors know much about natural cures (life style change etc.) other than the very obvious (don’t smoke, cut back on drinking etc.) Keep up the good work!
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Thank you.
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Each path is very different as is the path to “healthy” living. Great read sir!
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This is another reason why dietary plans requiring everyone to follow the same guidelines doesn’t work (long term) for a majority of the people.
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I have a defined routine for physical fitness …(though I miss to catch up with the same always)….as you said, on every restart, I tell myself, ” it will be different this time”😉
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Persistence will help you discover the BALANCE needed to succeed over the long term.
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Once again, another issue where people think change is easy. Clearly, it isn’t – if it was, no one would be obese!
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The problem is “change” can be (relatively) easy; it’s LONG TERM change that is so difficult. Those focusing on food as the main culprit will likely repeatedly fail over the long haul. Those willing to incorporate (realistically) a plan of action addressing the various components essential for healthy living will likely succeed.
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Jonathan you could have been speaking to me. I am currently going through a food crisis. I have to lose weight if I am ever going to get off insulin, but getting there I was trying to follow what worked before and only lasted a few months. Here I am, not losing weight this time and realizing I can’t do this life style in the long term. I need to work on my health, my diabetes is way out of control and I am on insulin. Food is the problem. I need to find the balance between low carb and something I can live with in the long run. This problem took years to happen and it isn’t going to go away in a couple of months.
I am increasing my carb levels not to the ADA standard because they are not looking out for the individual. They are in cahoots with big Pharma, but somewhere in between.
My son is nutrition conscious and has taken courses and he is helping me record and weigh what I eat so I know when things start getting out of control.
Great article and it came at the perfect time. Thanks!
Your biggest fan, Tessa
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Thank you Tessa. This is a challenging subject for a large number of people. Finding the BALANCE is challenging, but offers long term success. It requires effort and focus. Valuing yourself plays a large role. Good luck on this new journey.
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Again thanks! This journey is harder and since I am not getting the results I got the first time around more upsetting. I have to try something different. I have to be more serious about it. I was even exercising and it was helping and then I got flattened by a pinched nerve in both my back and neck. The pain is tremendous and pain killers infrequent since I only have a few to last til I can see the pain dr both for pain relief and the steroid shots which of course will play hell with my blood sugar numbers. The pain is already showing a large rise in the numbers despite the insulin.
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There are so many challenges that can make us feel discouraged. This is what separates those who succeed from those that simply choose to exist. There is no wrong choice, however, one offers greater meaning and a better quality of life.
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Right now I can’t keep my blood sugar under control due to the pain and stress. Even harder once they start the steroid shots. Very frustrating when everything is all over the place and my numbers are so high. This pain is taking a lot out of me. I thought it was bad before, I had no idea what was coming over the horizon and how bad an effect it would have on me. I am still eating low carb, but you wouldn’t know it by my numbers.
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[…] have that realistic plan of action as Doctor Jonathan mentioned here if you really wanna be physically […]
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Thank you for sharing this message with your readers.
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Dear Doc, sharing my one cent as always in appreciation: For me, it’ll sure be different this time… I have known for a while now that Diets don’t work for me even if initially attractive. I have tried two and did religiously follow one to the end, the result was a shrinkable gaunt me and I was sad…sadder than before even. So, this summer, I was stressed and had lots to do and with literally no support of course am a single mum serves me… I needed to stay in control of my emotions and reactions and food like ice cream and chocolate offer me ‘temporal comfort’ better than ‘coke and smoke’ if am to be honest. Result is, I gave myself permission to ‘suspend’ the weight loss program I was using and to care less what and when I ate. Summer over, routine almost back to normal, 2 good kgs added. I am calm anyway because I know what helps…sleep good, exercise regularly and well let go of some of that ice cream and chocolates
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You have a great understanding of “SELF”. I tell people all the time that eating “less nutritious food” is fine as long as it is under terms the individual establishes (rather than a craving satisfied.) The key is self control; not simply eating healthy all the time.
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Your suggestion to create a realistic plan I think is essential. Recently a friend told me he wanted to lose 80 pounds by the end of the year. I gently explained that’s not healthy or doable and he’s just setting himself up for failure. Le’ts stop this yo-yo’ing of weight!
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Good advice on your end. If your friend chose to eat 80-90% healthy (leaving room for comfort foods); chose to walk for 20-30 minutes 3-4 times a week; chose to drink adequate quantities of water; chose to get quality sleep daily, etc… the end result would be 80 pounds of weight loss. It takes the right MINDSET to attain long term results.
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I concur with getting the help of a health professional. Can’t say I’ve ever had weight issues, but it was through the help of a naturopath that I discovered my years of persistent dermatitis stemmed mostly from dairy allergies. I came to prefer them to my doctor as they take a holistic approach to health, & didn’t just prescribe more hand creams.
With her help I was able to find food alternatives & learned what ingredients to look out for when doing groceries (which in turn trained me to be more conscious of what I choose to imbibe). Over the course of about two months I completely cut out dairy, & shifted closer to healthier foods & habits. Have had minimal skin issues since, & when they do arise I can usually point towards some unusual meal I had. Found it surprisingly easy to maintain; I just find it more annoying to have lumpy dry hands for a week due to a single food then to avoid 90% of grocery goods (a surprising amount of them involve some form of dairy or are just bad for you).
Guess what I’m getting at is professionals can help you beyond simply keeping weight off :).
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You accepted the responsibility to participate in improving your health. In doing so, your dermatitis improved. The answer was NOT found in treating dermatitis; it was found in discovering substances your body reacted negatively to. This is the big picture. If we had to treat each and every symptom in life, we would be chasing “cures” all day long. Providing the body with its essential needs allows it to support itself in a healthy manner.
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Reblogged this on Advocate for Mental and Invisible Illnesses and commented:
This is so true. Going through it now myself.
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It’s a very common story. Those who LEARN from their mistakes are less likely to repeat them.
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Awesome post.
Take a look at my post and follow me if you like it.
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Thank you. Will gladly head over to your site.
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