by Elizabeth Wordsmith

Created on: January 29, 2010   Last Updated: January 31, 2010

Dieters often find it hard to remain on a diet for numerous reasons:

1.  Old habits die hard: A habit is something we do habitually and without much forethought.  One bad habit is snacking while watching television. It can be tough to break a bad habit, especially if it is associated with something pleasurable.

2.  Many of our eating habits are almost ingrained into our DNA because of long standing customs and traditions: Try asking an American to give up pumpkin pie on Thanksgiving or chocolate Easter bunnies on Easter.  Try asking a southerner to give up fried chicken or an Italian to give up pasta.  That is just not an option. 

3.  We want instant reward and gratification:  If we don't see substantial weight loss on our scales the first week, we get easily discouraged.  It's especially harder as we get older.  Our metabolisms slow down and weight doesn't come off as easily as when we were in our twenties.

4.  The people we live and socialize with may not be supportive and encouraging: One scenario we can all identify with is dining with our mothers who almost force feed us the foods they have slaved over.   How can we say no without being offensive?  If our social lives revolve around dining out with friends, maybe going out for beer and pizza one night a week, we are going to be reluctant to change the game plan for fear that we will be excluded.

5.  We take on diets that limit the kinds of foods we can enjoy, making them a form of self-inflicted punishment: It is very confusing trying to choose the right type of diet.  Should we limit carbs or fats or both?   Should we give up all desserts?  Should we become vegetarians or vegans and eat tofu?  Should we eat only live food and eschew dead food?  These types of diets have all made one food or another the enemy and involve severe lifestyle changes that are difficult to adhere to.

6.  In stressful situations, we fall back on comfort foods that sabotage our diets: If you have lost a job, gone through a breakup, or have something stressful going on in your life, you have probably turned to foods from your youth, foods associated with mother and home.  Foods like mac & cheese, tuna casserole, hot chocolate, and ice cream out of the carton are some that come to mind that are my fall backs during minor and major crises.

7.  Good nutrition is a financial commitment

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