According to the CDC, 42.8% of adults aged 40 to 59 are obese. Most Americans agree that diet and exercise are the best ways to lose weight. But statistics show that people who choose a rapid diet plan put half the weight back on after 1 year of having lost the pounds they desired.

And after 3 years, the most rapid dieters are back to their original weight. So why is weight loss so difficult in the first place? The answer is, it’s anti-biological. Simply put, if you lose too much weight you will die. To keep this from happening, the body does six things.

1. EATING HABITS.
   The body recognizes your eating habits and tries to get you to maintain them.
   
2. SENSORY ENHANCEMENT.
   As soon as you begin to eat less, the smell and taste of food is enhanced to convince you to eat more.
   
3. DECREASED METABOLIC RATE.
   Your hypothalamus will signal the body to decrease your basal metabolic rate, which reduces your caloric expenditure.
   
4. FOOD OBSESSION
   Your mind/body becomes obsessed w/ food. You think about it more and may even dream about it.
   
5. EATING-INDUCED EATING
   The more you eat, the more you want to eat.
   
6. YOU BECOME DEPRESSED
   After 3 months of dieting, 30% of dieters become depressed.

And don’t forget to exercise! Humans and animals with the lowest body fat percentages move more often than their counterparts. Whether it’s strength training with a professional trainer or dancing at home in your basement, daily movement is a must.

Lastly, weigh yourself daily. Self-weighing has been proven to help those who do diet and exercise daily self-correct before unwanted weight piles on. And, don’t be alarmed if the scale fluctuates a little each day. Look for significant changes monthly, not daily.