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Common Reasons Why Weight Loss Programs Fail

Talk to anyone who has been on a diet in the past, and ask them if they are still continuing with the original guidelines and rules of the diet and they will most likely tell you that they are not.

Why? Well, it's a common phenomenon when it comes to dieting. People often refer to it as the 6 week cut off mark, as more people quite their dieting schedule at 6 weeks than any other time. But why is this? Well, we didn't really know - until we spoke with a leading nutritional expert here in America and got some answers.

Why Most Diets Fail

Most dieting programs that the world has seen have followed a very similar process, by which the participant initially experiences a vast and astounding period of weight loss, only to plateau and not lose any more weight, after about the 4 week mark.

The initial weight loss period is often enough for people to continue with the diet, thinking that the initial results in weeks 1 and 2 will be replicated, indefinitely, in to the future, until they stop the diet. Unfortunately, this is almost never the case.

Here is a breakdown of the timeline under which most diets succeed and then fail:

• Week 1 and 2 - the diet seems to be working, and the participant loses weight.
• Week 3 - weight loss slows, possibly to 0 pounds, and the participant is discouraged.
• Week 4 - still no weight loss, participant considers changes to the diet to make it more successful.
• Week 5 or 6 - the participant gives up the diet, thinking that it is no longer working.

Unfortunately, what most people do not realize is that a plateau in weight loss is actually totally part of the process. It is the body's natural way of responding to the significant amount of weight which has been lost so far.

The Truth - Most Diets Actually Succeed

People who have had the perseverance and determination to continue their dieting program after week 5 or 6 often find that weight loss resumes, and a lower level of weight is maintained. Hence, in this respect, many dieting programs do actually work, if you are able to stick at them and provide yourself with enough motivation and reassurance.

Remember - a weight plateau is normal! Don't let it put you off your goals.