This is the fourth part of our four part series on what a weight loss plan should have in order to result in long-term weight loss. In this article, we discuss the fact that for any weight loss plan to result in long-term weight loss, it has to be one that you can live with for a long time. This might sound obvious but it always amazes me that
this is not taken into account by many programs.

As a reminder, the four characteristics of successful weight loss plans are:

1. The plan must avoid cravings
2. The plan must avoid hunger
3. The plan must call for increasing your activity level
4. It must be a plan you can live with for a long time

Weight is like blood pressure. The body, through a mechanism called "homeostasis" wants to keep basic metabolic functions like blood pressure and body temperature at a constant level. Weight is one of the things that your body doesn't want to change and if you do anything to change it, it will fight back. Fortunately, like with high blood pressure, we can bring it down. But like high blood pressure, we can't just bring it down and stop doing what we did because it will go back up.

So, if you engage in a program to lose weight that you cannot live with it for the rest of your life, the weight will come back. So make sure any program you start is one you can live with for the rest of your life. That is why it is important for you to be the one who designs your program. Seek help if you need one but you must be the final decision-maker.

Just like with high blood pressure, there are individuals who have genes that can cause them to become overweight. But again, like with high blood pressure, you can still keep it down and maintain it at a lower level. You must, however, do whatever you are doing to keep it down for a long time, for most people, that is for the rest of their
lives.

So, before you start or continue any program, you must ask yourself this question: "Can I Live With This For The Rest Of My Life?" This answer to this question explains why the most successful long-term weight programs are ones that have no gimmicks or special programs. Any thing that is gimmicky or "special" is very likely not going to
last.

If you start a program, only to stop and then start another, any weight you might have lost will come roaring back and then some. This is the reason why people go through the so-called "Yo-Yo" dieting phenomenon.

This is the last of our course and I hope you found it very informative. When you put this all together, you will be in a position to start making an educated opinion about any weight loss program you might be considering joining or are already involved in. You can actually use this information to design your own program.


Dr. David Nganele empowers individuals with the knowledge to take help them take control of their health. His latest ebook is "How to Choose A Weight Loss Plan That Will Work for You.” Learn more at http://www.aboutdietplans.com.