It's a fact: traditional weight-loss programs and fad diets do not work very
well, especially over the long term.
A person who is thinking about going on a diet to lose weight should keep
in mind that
- many people lose weight, but few can keep it off
- you cannot stay on a diet forever
- there is no quick fix
Most fad diets require people to make drastic changes in their diet such as
severely limiting certain foods. For example, some diets suggest no sugar or
carbohydrates, while others suggest very high protein intake. These types of
diets cause rapid weight loss due to loss of body fluids, not body fat. Most
fad diets are risky, and some are dangerous. One thing is for sure: they cannot
be long-term.
Although people do lose weight on fad diets, follow-up statistics are not encouraging.
About 85% of people will lose weight on any diet, but only 15% will keep the
weight off after two years. Some people gain back even more weight than they
originally lost.
The key to weight management is to take the focus off weight loss and focus
on building a healthy lifestyle and body.