72% of us have tried a diet this year,
yet almost half feel its failed within the first month
Consumer report reveals dieting reality and why most are doomed to failure
The reality of diets is that the vast majority fail and the process involved seriously disappoints those who embark on them, according to new research and an expert panel debate from XLS-MEDICAL – the UK’s number one weight loss tablet*.
Only one third of diets attempted are seen as successful, and almost half of those spoken to admit to realising a diet is failing within the first month of trying, which suggests weight conscious UK consumers live with way too many setbacks when trying to tackle one of life’s most prevalent health challenges.
Presented at the ‘Why Diets Fail’ forum at the Rosewood Hotel in London, consumer research commissioned by XLS-MEDICAL and carried out by OnePoll shows that 72% of us have tried a diet this year, with a third trying two or more diets in the past 12 months. Looking long term, more than a third (34%) have considered themselves to have failed every diet they’ve ever tried because they have put the weight back on again.
Why do diets fail?
Less than a quarter of dieters see the mission through to achieving weight loss goals or the end of a programme. The most common tipping point is lack of motivation for 41% of people, followed by boredom with the food, difficulty of managing at work, time challenges, and stress in keeping the plan going.
Jodie Relf, Weight Management and Sports Dietitian at XLS-MEDICAL explains: “The nature of some diets can set you up for a massive challenge in the way they are constructed. Motivation & support are key for weight loss success, the more complicated the diet, the more effort it takes and the more likely you are to lose motivation. Emotional support, someone to talk to who can keep you going on an everyday level and a practical plan that works for you are key struts of any smart programme. Being a slave to a routine that puts up barriers around your chances of success just doesn’t help.”
“The word ‘diet’ is the problem when weight loss is what matters. Diets are transitory; weight loss is a long term lifestyle choice that should involve healthier eating and exercise, as well as someone to help you through the bad days and encourage you on the good ones. We face many barriers when it comes to weight loss, living in an obesogenic environment is one of these barriers and these are challenging to overcome, which is why I believe that sometimes there is a need for further intervention. Adding a clinically proven slimming aid like XLS-MEDICAL to your weight loss tool box to accelerate weight loss and drive motivation can helps overcome these barriers.”
Five guiding principles for weight loss success
- Adopt the “flexible restraint” approach – where occasionally allowing oneself higher fat, calorie or sugar foods in modest portions and without guilt – as this is more likely to help you keep the weight off in the long run. Life still needs enjoyment.
- Pick the right time for a change in healthy eating lifestyle, and write down your reasons and motivations for wanting to lose weight before you start on any plan
- Put in place the right support team to help with motivation and sharing successes and slip ups – it could be a friend, partner, health professional, or website to keep you inspired and help you through.
- Choose a method or approach to weight loss that fits your working patterns, time or lack of it, and ease of adoption into the everyday. Less barriers are more likely to lead to success, which is why using a clinically proven slimming aid such as XLS-MEDICAL alongside a healthy balanced diet can accelerate sustainable weight loss without disrupting your daily routines.
- Set realistic goals – losing just 5-10% of your weight has massive health benefits. A weight loss of up to 2 pounds (lb) a week is a safe and realistic target as well as motivating one.
*IRI Total Market, Slimming Aids, Value Sales 52wks to 18th April 16
All data taken from OnePoll research survey of 2,000 respondents, male and female, aged 21-60. Survey carried out 28.04.16 – 03.05.16
