Habits – Not Diets

Most diet programs work; most dieters fail. How could two seemingly contradictory statements both be true? Let’s first be clear what I’m talking about. For the sake of this article we’re going to use the term “diet program” to mean a way of eating meant for weight loss, and the word “dieter” to mean someone who is following a diet program.

All effective diet programs regardless of their claims operate on the principle of creating a caloric deficit. One way or another you are taking in less energy (calories) than you are expending, which in turn causes weight loss. These programs each have their own risks and/or benefits for your health and body composition, but that is far beyond the scope of this article. If losing weight is as simple as eating fewer calories than you’re using, then how come every single one of us knows someone (or is someone) who is currently or has struggled with diet programs in the past? The answer is sustainability.