Why is consistency so hard for most people?

2. They are treating the symptoms of the issue.

Because, inherently, placing any restrictions on consumption runs counter to the human make up. We, as a species, just don't take well to purposeful, consistent efforts to control food intake and lose weight. And we also naturally resist being told "no" if there is no immediate gratification for doing so. In the past this wasn't nearly as big of an issue because we not only worked harder in labor jobs, we also relied more on foods that were naturally higher in volume, but lower in calories; more natural staples. Food has become easier than ever to obtain, and much of it is man-made and altered to be high in calorie, but low in volume. It's the perfect storm for obesity.

This is why people who eat everything in moderation, make "lifestyle changes" that seem permanent, who genuinely enjoy their new found way of eating, moving, and living still almost always fall back into old habits. The food is ever plentiful, the desire to be "normal" and eat everything without restriction takes over, and BAM, right back where you started.

Asking a human being to not only restrict their eating for the time it takes to shed excess weight, but for all time, is a daunting task. Which is why you'll never know if you made a true "lifestyle change" until you've actually walked it out. Somebody just a few months, a year, hell even 5 years into a weight loss or maintenance journey can not exclaim that they've made a "lifestyle change". It's all wishful thinking until you've actually walked it out.

My lack of consistency can be traced to a few things.

1. Impatience with the process and then giving up because "it's not making a difference anyway"

2. Resistance to any discomfort. Most times I should push through a little harder, but instead I say, "Too hard, forget this. "
(this is not about experiencing pain; that's a different thing)

3. Looking at the amount of time it will take to hit my goals and giving up.

4. Making a bad plan which immediately sets me up for failure, so I just think, "There, that proves I can't lose weight." Bad plans include extreme diets, completely omitting macros because they are "bad," starving myself, using cleanses which only hurt my efforts and pathologizes food.

5. Not having a health buddy, whether it's online or in my real life. Always going it alone hasn't really worked out for me. With support, I have both accountability and a sensible voice urging me not to quit.

6. Let's face it, I'm lazy when it comes to exercise. "I really need to watch all 3 seasons of the Mighty Boosh, I'll go another time."

I would agree with all of these and add a couple of my own:

1. Trying to lose weight to please others instead of yourself (or doing it out of spite (this was me))

2. Some folks REALLY suck at cooking and think they can't lose weight unless they cook (not me :-))

3. Creating long term weight loss goals and not enjoying the small victories (this was me)

4. Not having a visual motivator (I have a pair of jeans I used to be able to wear pinned on my wall its the first thing I see in the morning)

5. Not having/knowing a sport they truly enjoy (this was me). For instance last year I discovered I love playing tennis...so when I play I don't "feel" like I am working out. I also swim now which is another sport I like that was also not hard on my joints.

6. Not dealing with depression or the reasons for the depression (this was/can be me)

For me, the end goal is not just the weight loss, but being able to maintain it without having to think about it or be a slave to it. That would be true success.