Healthy Lifestyle Bloggers

By Carter James

Why diets usually fail is something that we now understand much better than just a few years ago.

Medical science has made great strides in recent times in solving the mystery of how the body stores fat and burns it; and the "engine" that drives weight loss. That engine is called the metabolism; and we will talk more about that later.

The primary reason why diets usually fail is that they are hard. They are hard to follow and they are hard to stick with. Common sense tells us that if we can't stick with it consistently for long enough; then it cannot succeed.

One of the things that make weight loss difficult is that most diets are very restrictive in terms of the food that we are allowed; leading to a feeling of being deprived. They can also have you walking around hungry most of the time. These situations open the door to temptation and make it more likely that we will "fall off" of the program.

How many of us have blown an entire weeks worth of sacrifice and self control in just a few moments of weakness in the face of temptation? I know that I have.

So lets look at some of the weight loss plans available today and compare the strengths and weaknesses of each so that we will have a better understanding of why diets usually fail.

In years past; weight loss programs were based upon calorie counting. Now this is really hard. These plans are very restrictive as to the foods that are allowed; and they take immense will power; more than most people have. What is more; they do not take into account the body's natural response to dieting. Remember the metabolism mentioned above? That is truly the engine that drives weight loss. The biggest reason why diets usually fail is that they fail to keep the metabolism working at its peak.

You see; the body is designed to maintain; not to lose. And; it gets accustomed to the amount of food and the number of calories that it is given; and it adjusts the metabolism accordingly. For example; if you consume 2500 calories a day; the body adjusts the metabolic rate to that. If you suddenly go on a diet and starting eating 1800 calories per day; it shocks the body into thinking that it is starving. The result will be that the body will slow the metabolism in order to conserve calories. So by eating fewer calories in an attempt to lose weight; the body will start burning fewer calories. No you can see why diets usually fail.

Fortunately; there are other less restrictive weight loss plans today. There are some that would have you avoid all carbohydrates. These don't make sense to me. How can it be healthy to try to eliminate almost an entire food group? Others would have you avoid only certain types of carbohydrates. This makes more sense to me; and I have had good results with one of these. But when you get down to the core principle of these plans; they really revolve around calorie control; and potion control. They can leave you feeling deprived and hungry. They do not address the metabolic slow down that diets produce.

But there is a weight loss plan available today that is built around the very problem of the slowed metabolic function that other diets cause.

This program is based upon the concept of "calorie shifting". Calorie shifting promotes quicker; easier weight loss through a unique process of alternating the types of foods we eat; and just as importantly; when we eat them. Calorie shifting requires us to eat often throughout the day; so there is never that feeling of being deprived or hungry. The principle behind a calorie shifting program makes it easy to stick with; and removes the temptation to splurge so common with other diets.

If you would like to learn more about why diets often fail; and see the most popular; and in my experience; the most effective weight loss plan available today; then please follow the link below.

There are plenty of weight loss programs on the market and you have your choice from many different models. One such model is the Low Carbohydrate Diet Plan made popular by Atkins, South Beach and Glycemic Index.

Weight loss by dieting requires a daily commitment from the individual who chooses go on such a diet. Weight isn't gained in a day and it won't be lost in a day. It takes time. Weight gain or loss consists of the difference between the remaining calories that are eaten and those that are burned. You gain weight when you take in more calories than you use, and you lose weight when you expend more calories than you eat Other factors to consider are your age, gender, fitness level, genetic make up, stress level, amount of exercise and food that you eat.

But this approach is not central to the high protein low carb diet plan. These plans aren't concerned with the number of calories but rather their main focus is the amount of sugar and carbohydrates that are taken into your body through foods that are high in carbohydrates such as bread, pasta and potatoes. The diet essentially places your body into ketoacidosis, which burns more calories quickly but also has many negative side effects. Chief among them are lower mental acuity, stress on the kidneys, feelings of being tired, increased blood pressure, high cholesterol, diarrhea and severe headaches.

Before starting a high protein low carb diet plan you should consult with your physician to determine if your current health will withstand the stresses of the ketoacidosis, which are similar to those who have diabetes.

Don't forget to tell your doctor the medications you are taking and your current blood glucose tolerance.

Several things you do will help to increase your success at using a high protein low carb diet plan. Drink plenty of water, at least 8-10 8oz glasses per day, but limit the amount of caffeine you take in. The fluids should be water; not soda, not coffee, not tea. To compensate for the nutritional deficits you may experience.while on the diet, you should also take an additional vitamin and fiber supplement.

While on this diet you should also include some daily exercise and physical activity. This is especially important using a low carb diet plan. It will help to lessen some of the side effects.

And central to this diet plan is to carefully monitor your sugar and carbohydrate levels.

When you use a high protein low carb diet plan you can initially count on feeling cravings for the foods that you can no longer eat. To increase your chance of success you should get rid of those foods in the house. Through them all out. Get rid of them completely.

When you shop for the foods and the recipes that you will need while on this diet, be organized and plan for the eventual and almost certain cravings you'll have. Be sure there is food in the house which yiu are allowed to eat to help you withstand the temptations.

One major pitfall to this diet is that you will increase the amount of animal protein that you will be ingesting, which in turn decreases the absorption of calcium in your body. This can lead to osteoporosis and bone loss.

When you are taking a vitamin supplement include a mineral and calcium supplement as well.

The high protein low carb diet plan can help you to learn better eating habits and help you with weight loss. Just be certain to take your doctor's advice about the length of time you should stay on this diet before gradually changing to a healthy diet. One that you can maintain over the coming years.

Gary Machado writes on a variety of topics of interest. Did you find these tips on dieting success useful? I have just completed my new guide to dieting success, 'How to Take Your Dieting To the Next Level."

Download it free here: Dieting Success