People who need to lose weight are constantly searching for diets that work. It’s not really hard to find diets that work, but finding a diet you can stick to is the issue. The diet industry is very large. Between books, diet food programs, trainers and nutritionists, spas, and all the other elements of the health and diet industry a lot of money, over 46.8 billion dollars in 2005, is made not from people becoming healthy or losing weight, but rather from people attempting to become healthy or lose weight. Because the money comes from repeat business, the focus is naturally on methods and products that work for a short period but result in return business.

So you want a diet that works? Here’s one. Combine limiting caloric intake to 1000 calories each day with at least 30 minutes of exercise at least 5 times a week. It’s a sure thing you’ll drop pounds. Only two small things. #1 cravings will likely blow the diet. 1000 calories and all that exercise will eventually lead to ruinous hunger and binge eating. One piece of cake, or just one bag of chips, or one extra hamburger will soon motivate you to end the diet. #2 the diet eventually ends. You eventually go back to eating the same old way. Next spring, or next time to try on that dress or tuxedo, or next vacation, or simply the next time you look into a mirror on the way out of the shower it will be time to return to a diet to lose the unwanted pounds.

The best diet is a forever diet. More and more people are coming to realize that to lose weight it’s best to make a whole lifestyle change, including healthier eating habits and more physical activity. The Sonoma Diet, created by Connie Guttersen, discusses ten “power foods.” These are almonds, bell peppers, blueberries, broccoli, grapes, olive oil, spinach, strawberries, tomatoes and whole grains, combined with the diet of the Sonoma country, which includes Asian, Latin American and Mediterranean influences. The diet includes a wide variety of real, and enjoyable foods so it’s easy to stay on it .

Want a diet that works? Shift the focus away from a short term diet to a long term style that’s part of an overall healthy and active lifestyle. That’s the way to not only lose the weight, but to avoid gaining it in the first place.