The weight loss industry is a multi-billion dollar business that recycles unproven weight loss theories, uses celebrity endorsements and the promise of quick and easy life altering transformation, and they count on you not succeeding so they can sell you more.

Here are a few things you will never hear them talk about in the popular diet books:

All diets work! It doesn’t matter whether you are counting calories cutting out calories, restricting food groups ( like carbs or fats) or modifying in moderation. Everything works at the beginning of a new weight loss program. Because all you are doing is reducing the number of calories you are taking in and creating a deficit so your body can burn fat. Most programs are not nearly as special as they would have you believe.

All diets fail! 99% of people know the difference between a healthy diet and one that will make you fat. Most people know eating vegetables is better than eating doughnuts. The problem today isn’t lack of knowledge, its lack of consistency. The best program in the world doesn’t work unless you follow the rules.

Following the rules can be extremely uncomfortable.

In addition to being readily available and affordable, junky processed foods (the sugary fatty flour-based treats called “hyper-palatable” foods) just make us feel better when we eat them.

These “Hyper-palatable” foods modulate neurochemicals and release hormones that reduce stress and soothe raw nerves. They are not easy to give up.

Relying on willpower lasts only for so long until you are worn down and give in to your drug of choice: Ben and Jerry’s, pizza, Oreos or macaroni and cheese.

Uncomfortable doesn’t mean impossible. No matter how much you rely on junk food as a way to cope with stress, there are psychological, neurological and nutritional approaches that can help reduce your dependence on food to modulate your emotions.

There are many books that are very helpful. Courses in cognitive behavior therapy, coaches and programs can offer support and alternatives to using food as an emotional crutch. Nutritionally there are supplements and various types of foods that create longer satisfaction and satiety so you don’t have cravings and excessive hunger.

You are your best diet guru. You know deep down inside what works and what doesn’t for you. Other experts are giving you advice based on what works for them. You have specific tastes, cravings, strengths, skills, responses to stressful situations and weaknesses that create challenges and your unique relationship to food and health.

The best thing is to take advice that resonates with you and discard the rest. If it’s not working you need to look deep inside and question your motives. How can you maximize your strengths and get help with your weaknesses?

Remember there is no magic pill, no single formula, no infomercial workout or gadget that will work miracles and help you lose and sustain long-term weight loss.

Working with a nutrition coach will help you uncover the path that is right for you.

If you want more information on coaching for fat loss, contact me and we’ll talk!