Why do you think that only 5% of people keep weight off long

I am 42 years old and have had issues with yo yo- ing in the past. I was wondering if any of you would like to get into a conversation about this topic because I believe it's interesting. I have a few theories of my own.
Here's what I think:
1. People starve themselves and screw up their metabolism. I have 2 friends who want to go on some kind of spicy tea diet. Fad diets are just that- FADS, and are unable to provide for long term healthy weight loss and if you think your metabolism is a mess now, wait until you starve your body, don't eat breakfast (which is what sumo wrestler's do, they don't eat breakfast so they can slow down their metabolism)! See how SLUGGISH that metabolism is when you hit 40 if you starve your body for 20 years!
2. That also includes people who take pills- While I'd love a magic pill, if there were one- don't you think that Oprah, who is a billionaire , would have it by now and it wouldn't just be an advertisement on the same rag mag that talks about Sheen's goddesses? LOL Also, will you be able to afford your pre packaged food your whole life? Whatever you can do your whole life is what you should be doing NOW!
3. Food is an addiction and has to be treated as such. Yet, unlike booze or drugs, you can't totally abstain from food so you have to find a healthy balance. Most of us need therapy way more than we need another "diet."
4. Serving sizes are way too big - even if you split your plate in half at a restaurant, chances are it's still 2x too big and we have portion distortion. We also have SO many choices- but in some ways that's a good thing!
5. People get all or nothing thinking. What I call the DIET MENTALITY, where they call themselves bad, or cheaters if they eat junk instead of just moving on, then they downward spiral.
6. People want weight loss too quickly. Don't use The Biggest Loser as how much you're supposed to lose in a week. 1-2 lbs is NORMAL and HEALTHY. Anything over that- even when I know what it is, is usually water or lean muscle mass.
7. Women are AFRAID to use weights yet don't realize that muscle BURNS fat. You will NOT bulk up. Check out Chalene Johnson and Chalean Extreme if you don't believe me
8. I do believe there may be a fat gene- which I do believe! I was watching Discovery Health and there was a show about how people that have severe obesity actually have a different brain chemistry.
9. We burn out, get bored, don't change or get way too complacent and go back to old eating habits. Thinking you may not have to log in your food, or it is okay if you just skip your workouts may also become a downward spiral.
10. People can be negative about this experience and will be negative as though God is punishing them- "It's UNFAIR that I have to eat healthy." NO IT IS NOT. Feel fortunate that you're learning NOW to eat right and to work out.
You 're lucky that you woke up this morning, that if you have an ability to work out , that your body can move, that you can breathe, that you are learning how to eat healthy because the reality is, even if you are thin and have a fast metabolism, you still should be eating healthy because eventually that junk may catch up to you. My father was thin most of his life but had heart disease by his 60's birthday because he ate whatever he wanted for many years.
11. People lose weight for certain occasions- weddings and reunions. Ok-then what happens AFTER the event??? What will your motivation and inspiration be THEN?


I do not trust fully that much of the diet industry is out to help you really MAINTAIN your goals. This is a lucrative industry- could you imagine how many people would be out of work if everyone lost weight and kept it off? What would happen to all those people who would be out of work? Much of the industry doesn't try to sell health, they try to sell what they want women to perceive and even men, as happiness. I am a HUGE fan of Beachbody personally not only because of their work outs, but also because they promote HEALTH and the CEO's mission is to STOP OBESITY , and not just temporarily.

I do not believe, that people are inherently lazy which I do believe is a horrible stereotype for the overweight. When I was over 300lbs, I was going to grad school, working full time and a co owner of a karaoke business so that's far from lazy. I work out more than my thin cousins do and I can say that's not fair but I would never say that because I believe the reason why I've had this challenge was one of the reasons I was put here- was to provide support and good information to everyone out there who will listen to me Thanks for listening to me! Your happiness comes from inside- don't wait because all we really ever have is the here and now. Read good books, surround yourself with good, positive and loving people and be your own best friend and the rest will all fall into place!