5 reasons new diets fail (and how to avoid them)

To get results that won't fizzle out before February, check out my previous post "5 questions to ask before trying any diet" on Health.com, as well as the tips below for coping with the challenges that often go along with a new quest to shed pounds. Confusion over which approach is best The top question I'm asked these days is, "What should I do?!" Nearly everyone I talk to feels overwhelmed about the myriad of popular approaches others swear by, many of which are drastically different from each other, including detoxes and cleanses, ditching carbs and eating like a caveman, going gluten free, and becoming vegan. I don't think there is a one-size-fits-all, but in my 15+ years counseling clients, I do know this: if a particular approach doesn't feel right for you, it will surely backfire, CNN reports. For example, I recently had a client who, before working with me, had cut out all carbs, including whole grains, fruit, and most veggies. Despite struggling with fatigue, headaches, mood swings, intense cravings, and trouble concentrating at work, she tried to stick with it, because an ultra low-carb diet seemed to be the trendy way to lose weight. After breaking down and bingeing on bread, then sweets, and realizing that her body and brain "just didn't work right" without any carbs, she was ready for a different approach. Before you begin your chosen weight loss tactic, do a gut check to be sure it feels sane and sustainable. And if a structured plan isn't right for you, focus on committing to a few changes you know you can stick with, like trading fast food for quick homemade meals, ditching diet products, or consistently making simple swaps, like eating spaghetti squash instead of spaghetti. Full story