by Kevin O'Connell

Created on: December 25, 2008   Last Updated: May 11, 2010

Diets fail because they are an impulsive response to an issue that is a result of behavior that has been going on for an extended period of time. People look in the mirror and acknowledge they have let themselves go, realize they need to lose weight, and swear themselves to a diet.

To understand this failure requires a look into our understanding of the diet process itself: A specific period of time dedicated to restricted caloric intake consisting of foods low in calories and bland in taste. Granted, this relatively brief change in normal routine is initially effective: the dieter loses pounds; however, it is unreasonable to believe that a physical state that is the result of a life long routine will be undone so easily.

Diets based on this understanding fail to consider that the human body is genetically programed for adaptation and by design conditions itself to routine and regimentation. A sudden and unanticipated deviation from routine will obligate the body's programming to shift to survival mode, respond as if a period of deprivation is forth-coming, and adjust accordingly. This defense mechanism, however, is temporary after which the programming simply adapts to the new environment and resumes business as usual. The degree of weight loss slows and stops.

Conceptually, we are required to consume foods to support and maintain bodily functions. Although we as individuals are not generally conscious of it, our bodies "know" precisely what our caloric needs are. At the conscious level, we are generally aware of those signals provided by our bodies that tell us that we need to eat and when we have consumed sufficient enough food to satisfy bodily needs.

Unfortunately, over time, we have allowed ourselves to become conditioned, usually without conscious thought, to eat more than is necessary, and basically to ignore our body's signals. For many, this behavior may be attributed to the taste enhancement provided to foods by sugars, salts, oils, and other processing. As a result eating has evolved from a mere necessity to an anticipated enjoyment. It is common to "save room" for a dessert treat, or to have a little late night something that goes beyond the common food groups. These little somethings invariably consist of processed foods rich in refined sugars or added salts. Not only do these foods increase our over all caloric intake, but stimulate our taste buds to the point that we continue to eat well beyond the point of satiety.

More so than just being non-essentials,

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