The Obvious (But Hidden) Reason Why Weight Loss Fails

Last year, 45 million Americans went on a diet and collectively spent $33 billion to lose weight.

How much did you spend?

Everyone wants to look better, feel great, and do all the amazing things Nike says we should be able to accomplish if we "Just Do It."

That's the problem. How are you supposed to diet?

Too many times we try and fail.

The great news is you never have to fail again. I'm going to walk you through three steps you can use to succeed at your weight loss.

Step 1 - It's Not How, It's Why

The first reason why diets fail is the general approach. One goal is to lose weight. But shouldn't the real goal be targeted towards your health? A diet typically implies something like "Lose 30 lbs. in 30 days." You can lose all that weight, but still be in poor health which will interfere with your efforts going forward.

Start with your "Why." The real Why, that intangible reason you're scared to admit is this: You want to lose weight because you don't want to die. You know that your eating habits are hurting you and you're tired of how you look and feel.

Change your approach toward why and not how - and success will be close at hand. La diet that you need; it's a lifestyle change.

A lifestyle has no end. It's a process. To become a healthier you, change your thinking into a process aimed at a healthier lifestyle versus a short-term outcome of weight loss.

The Secret Behind Lasting Success Is In Plain Sight

Going on a diet is like buying the car of your dreams, striking up a romantic relationship or starting a new job. Hmmm...besides most of these being new in your life, here's what else they have in common: they gain your full focus. You become intentional towards them.

Whenever you kick off a diet, you often see a nice drop in weight, right? You scrutinize the labels in the grocery store. You pride yourself as you order the light variety of lunch. You watch everything closely.

Just like in a fresh relationship or driving a new car, you practice the same patterns.

You're careful. You're intentional.

Then it happens. Either you reach a short-term goal or you go into the "Auto-Pilot" mode. You let off the gas, and eventually, come to an abrupt halt.

What happens when relationships, careers, and new purchases aren't tended to? They backslide or fail. Just like diets.

If you want to succeed with your diet/lifestyle change, you must carry forth your original intention and make it part of your routine.

Why Your Trust Issues Are Worse Than You Thought

OK, let's not get too personal here! Maybe you do have trust issues, but the variety I'm talking about are your trust issues with your plan.

The key culprit to why your past plans have failed is because you didn't trust them. On Sunday night you laid out your calendar of meals, your exercise program and what time you'll head to bed.

By Wednesday evening at best, you've already read 18 articles off the Internet that cry out against your plan. The scale isn't budging, and you're defiantly thrusting your protein shake in anger at the Diet Gods.

Your body is a unique specimen. In my experience as a personal trainer and practitioner of health, there is no one solution. You have to pick a plan that works for you.

Make your plan your lifestyle. Experiment. See how it goes. Don't rush off and tell everyone what you're doing. Wait for the compliments to kick in. If after a few weeks the benefits advertised are not coming true, then pivot.

Don't jump ship. For anything to take hold, your body needs to adjust. Hormonal changes need time to take place. Just... trust.

Avoid wasting your time, efforts and money. Change your approach, stay focused and be patient. It will all work out in the end.