Why is Losing Weight So Difficult?

Would you like to achieve amazing weight loss results while outsmarting your body and still eating what you want? 

You can with "The 3 Week Diet":

We all know that maintaining a healthy weight is crucial to good overall health. Why, then, is it so hard to lose the extra pounds we pack on? (After all, gaining them is easy enough!)

Personal responsibility plays a part, but you might be surprised by some of the everyday factors that can sabotage your weight loss efforts.

Reason 1: Finding the right diet can be tricky.

While the American Heart Association recommends a diet low in fat, many dieters find themselves missing the natural satiety that fats bring. Carbohydrates are another controversial issue.

Some dieters find that consuming a high amount of carbohydrates only makes them crave more. On the other hand, low-carb diets can leave some people feeling lethargic and even depressed.

Dr. Frank Sacks and associates from the Harvard School of Public Health recently concluded a study that compared four types of diets: high carb, high fat, high protein, and low fat. Their finding? According to Sacks, "No one of those diets are necessarily better than any other diet."

The bottom line is this: Expending more calories than you consume will result in weight loss, regardless of which food groups you take those calories from. However, for optimal health, you should choose a balanced diet that you can comfortably live with for the rest of your life.

Reason 2: The media sends mixed messages about diet and health.

Women's magazines are notorious for running stories about the latest trend in quick weight loss, just opposite a mouth-watering photo of a decadent triple-fudge cake. What message are they trying to send?

That's not the only way the media sends mixed signals about our health. Have you ever been confused by the sheer number of weight loss studies in the news, many of which seem to come to contradictory conclusions?

If so, you're not alone. With so much information, it's nearly impossible to know which advice to follow. The problem with a lot of the studies you read about is that they are sensationalized by the media.

For example, a recent study suggested that some women over 50 might need to exercise more than 30 minutes a day in order to counteract their naturally slowing metabolisms. The headline for this study screamed, "Women Must Exercise One Hour a Day to Avoid Gaining Weight!" Not only was this headline demoralizing, it was inaccurate.

The best policy is to turn a deaf ear to the fads and sensationalism, and trust the advice you receive from your doctor and other trusted experts.

   Reason 3: The food industry sets you up to fail.

With so many of us leading busy lifestyles, it's no wonder we sometimes dine out for convenience. However, fast food chains and restaurants are dangerous territory for dieters.

Most fast food is high in fat and sodium while being relatively devoid of real nutrients. This results in lots of empty calories that leave our bodies malnourished even as our weight and blood pressure rise.

The unfortunate truth is that fats and sugars have a real impact on the chemistry of the human brain. These "comfort foods" can quickly become addictive.

Add flavor-enhancers like MSG to the mix, along with the largest portion sizes in human history, and you have a recipe for dietary disaster.

The obvious solution is to cook your own meals from whole foods, consuming as little processed food as possible. If you must eat out, choose smaller portion sizes. Some diners have half of their entrees boxed up before they even begin to eat.

Others order kids' meals instead of the unhealthy adult portions offered by fast food chains. As an added benefit, kids' meals often come with healthier side options like fresh fruit instead of french fries.

Reason 4: Well-meaning family and friends can do more harm than good.

Our loved ones mean well, but they do us no favors when they insist we have "just one more bite". They hate to see us feeling deprived, so they enable us when we have the urge to eat unhealthy foods. Or they help us rationalize our poor choices by pointing out that we "deserve" a little treat; that "just this once won't hurt".

It's hard to maintain your steadfastness in the face of such temptation. The best approach is to have an earnest talk with your loved ones. Let them know that you appreciate their concern, but that you need their support far more than you need a second helping of pie.

Schedule occasional "cheat days", such as special occasions like birthdays, when you will permit yourself a little indulgence. That way, your family and friends will know when to offer you treats, and
when to keep silent.

   Reason 5: Making and breaking habits is hard work.

Finally, it takes time and effort to get into healthier habits. When you first start your weight loss journey, it might feel like an uphill battle as you contend with years of unhealthy behavior.

Start by making small changes. Instead of watching TV after dinner, record your favorite shows and go for a walk. Replace some high-fat foods with their lower-fat equivalents. Over time, you will get used to these changes and be able to make more without jeopardizing your weight loss effort.

Many diets fail because dieters make too many drastic changes too quickly, then decide they can't live with the new program. Remember, these are sustained changes, not quick fixes. Feel free to ease into a healthier lifestyle so that it will last a lifetime.

If you would like to achieve amazing weight loss results while outsmarting your body and still eating what you want, give "The 3 Week Diet" a go:

Law of Attraction Weight Loss

Have you heard of the Law of Attraction? Weight loss is one of the many goals you can reach by employing its concepts. In fact, many dieters have found success with Law of Attraction weight loss programs, even when other plans have failed.

The Law of Attraction really boils down to belief, and belief is a powerful thing. For example, someone using the Law of Attraction for personal success learns to visualize their goals. If they want to get a better job, they visualize being hired into a better position. They believe that it will occur. They begin to dress and conduct themselves like a successful person. In theory, these steps will cause the goal to manifest in the person's life.

By using the Law of Attraction, weight loss can be achieved. If you're thinking about using this technique, here are some helpful tips to get you started:

Visualize Your Goal

There is a difference between imagination and visualization. Visualization means analyzing your goal and all the ways it would affect your life. How will you feel when you lose weight? Will you be more outgoing? How will you feel physically? How will weight loss enrich your life and the lives of your loved ones? Where will you go and what will you do once the weight is gone? What will your life look like?

Sit down and take your time to really think it through. As you spend more time visualizing your goal per the Law of Attraction, weight loss will come within your reach.

Plan Your Path

Of course, it takes more than visualization to lose weight. What steps do you need to take in order to accomplish your goal? Make specific plans about when, where, and how often you will exercise. Plan which foods you will eat, and how you will get adequate hydration and sleep. If you have a great deal of personal stress, plan ways to reduce it. The specific details are the difference between planning and dreaming.

After you've made plans, go out and purchase the necessary supplies. Do you need comfortable clothing to work out in? Will you join a membership, or exercise outdoors or at home? Where will you shop for fresh produce and lean meat? How will you make room in your food budget for fresh, whole foods?

Finally, plan a reward for each weight loss milestone. Your milestones don't have to be measured in pounds and inches, although that's a fine approach if it works for you. You might measure your success in terms of physical health, lower blood pressure, or joints that don't ache. For each milestone you reach, reward yourself with something that makes you feel good.

Live Like a Thin Person

Whenever you sit down to eat, ask yourself how a thin person would eat. Would they rush through a second helping of dinner, or would they take their time and thoroughly enjoy a single portion? Would they drink sugary soda, or would they sip water or tea throughout the meal to fill up faster? Would they watch television after dinner, or would they do something fun and active?

When you use the Law of Attraction, weight loss is easier than ever. If you visualize a thinner you, and you live like a thin person, you will get thinner. Take heart, because a new you is on the way!