Those few who maintain their weight loss usually have modified their original diets and incorporated regular exercise. The physical and psychological deprivation of dieting can make you irritable, tired, unable to concentrate, and overly preoccupied with food. When this leads to overindulgence and feelings of guilt and shame, the self-pressure to begin a new diet starts the cycle again. Most diets and their strategies focus on the short term. Instead of swearing off your favorite foods, concentrate on making healthier food choices and incorporating normal amounts of any food that you crave.
Encouraging variety is also a long-term strategy that works better than banning some food forever.
Instead of focusing on denial, focus on feeling better, healthier and more energized. Accept your body at any size. Establish flexible, short-term, attainable goals vs. one concrete, ultimate goal. Long-term weight loss results most often from a series of small, gradual successes instead of more immediate, extreme results. Emphasize healthy eating and exercise instead of just emphasizing food.