Clearly, we have an obesity problem in America and many other countries across our planet. Yet, I propose that we do not have a weight loss problem today. In case you're confused at this apparent contradiction, consider these statistics:
According to a study from Oxford University published in the International Journal of Obesity, within 3 to 5 years, about 80 percent of all 'weight losers' have regained the lost weight, and often gained back a little extra.
According to research by the National Weight Control Registry, that relapse rate may be as high as 95 percent.
For comparison, relapse rates for drug, alcohol and tobacco dependency have been reported in the range of 50-90%.
This means that lots and lots of people have lost weight, but not many have kept it off. Therefore, we don't have a weight loss problem, we have a weight-relapse problem; we have a "not sticking with it" problem, wouldn't you agree?
In fact, the fall and subsequent weight-regain usually doesn't take years. Many people have abandoned their New Year's resolutions within weeks. By the time the Super Bowl party rolls around, the diet is ancient history!
If this is true, then shouldn't we put more of our attention on figuring out why you haven't been sticking with your program, and what you should do about it? That's why I put together this list of the 8 biggest mistakes that put the pounds back on.
This isn't your typical weight loss mistakes list, replete with diet food faux pas.
Rather than worrying about the minutiae of your diet plan, like whether you should be on low carb or high carb, Mediterranean or Okinawan, vegetarian or meat eater, I propose that if you simply focus on these 8 issues, you'll start getting more lasting results.
How? By being able to stick with whichever plan you decided was best for you! After all, even if you have the best nutrition program in the world -- on paper -- it doesn't do you much good if you can't stick with it!
1. No focus: you didn't set goals, you didn't put your goals in writing, and you didn't keep your goals in mind daily (by reading them, affirming them, looking at a vision board, etc.).
2. No priorities: you may have set a goal, but you didn't put it at the top of your priorities list. For example, your goal was six pack abs, but drinking beer and eating fast food on the weekend was higher on your priorities list than having a flat stomach.
3. No support system: you tried to go at it alone; no buddy system, training partners, family, spouse, friends, mentors or coaches to turn to for information and emotional support when the going got tough.
4. No Accountability: you didn't keep score for your own accountability - with a progress chart, weight record, measurements, food journal, training journal, and you didn't set up external accountability (report to someone else or show your results to someone else).
5. No patience: you were only thinking short term and had unrealistic expectations. You expected 10 pounds a week or 5 pounds a week or 3 pounds a week, so the first week you lost "only" 1 or 2 pounds or hit a plateau, you gave up.
6. No planning: you winged it. You walked into the gym without having a workout in hand, on paper, you didn't plan your workouts into your weekly schedule; you didn't have a menu on paper; you didn't make time (so instead you made excuses, like "I'm too busy").
7. No balance: your diet or training program was too extreme. You went the all or nothing, "I want it now" route instead of the moderate, slow-and-steady wins the race route.
8. No personalization: your nutrition or training program was the wrong one for you. It might have worked for someone else, but it didn't suit your schedule, personality, lifestyle, disposition or body type.
Are you guilty of any of these transgressions? If so, the solutions are clear and simple: focus, prioritize, get support, be accountable, be patient, plan, balance and personalize.
Tom Venuto is a fat loss expert, all-natural (steroid-free) bodybuilder and author of The Body Fat Solution (hardcover, Avery/Penguin) and Burn the Fat, Feed the Muscle (e-book).
Rajiv Narayan: Lose 10 Pounds Instantly
Tom Venuto: The Double-Edged Sword of "Healthy Fast Food"
David Buer: Health and Fitness Reality Check: 'Don't' is Short for 'Donut'
Sandy Henson Corso: Kale Juice: My Miracle Tonic! (VIDEO)
Loading comments… 
http://hea
If you plan what you are going to eat
Plan for unexpected snacks if you are really hungry
Plan for meals away from home
then you will be pretty much bullet proof.
Gavin
Fat Loss Chef
I write a daily blog at beliefnet.
Regards,
Norris Chumley, Ph.D.