Why Can't I Lose Weight

There is a difference between hunger and appetite.  Hunger is a sensation resulting from lack of food.  Hunger is characterized by a dull or acute pain in the lower part of the chest that coincides with powerful contractions of the stomach.  Hunger is a necessary urge that forces us to eat in order to live.  Appetite is distinguished from hunger in that it is a pleasant sensation that causes one to seek food for the purpose of tasting and enjoying it.  Appetite can cause us to desire and eat foods we should not eat.  You do not eat dessert after a meal because you are hungry; you eat it because it satisfies your appetite.
Americans are obsessed with losing weight and being thin.  If you go to a mall, just sit there and watch the people.  You will discover that dieting isn't working too well.  The main reason to lose weight is the more overweight you are, the more likely you are to have health problems.
You might want to lose weight, but just can't seem to do it.  Why?  Ask yourself some questions.  Do you overeat at meals, when you snack, or both?  How appropriate are your food choices?  Do certain activities or locations trigger overeating?  Do decision making, emotions, or moods trigger eating?  There is definitely a relationship between overeating, making decisions, emotions and moods.  Your own personality may be the reason you cannot lose weight.  Identify the situations that make you want to eat the wrong things.  When dieting, people often set unrealistic goals or are easily disappointed and give up.  Some people put everything they would like to do, like social events, etc., off until the weight is gone.  This type personality dose the same thing with other issues in life.  These people have good intentions, but they never follow through with them.  There are those who would rather not lose because of social pressure.  Their best friend or mate may be overweight, and they are afraid they will lose that person.  Some people just love to eat, especially the wrong kinds of food.  Sometimes it is easier to go with the flow than to do what is good for your health.  Some people set themselves up for failure because they have no discipline, low expectations of themselves, and believe they will fail.  People who have low self-esteem do not normally stay on a diet long enough to lose any weight.  Dieters who avoid eating anything they really enjoy are doomed to fail.  It is human nature to desire the wrong kinds of food.  Even when dieting, a few of those "forbidden foods" must be included.  People need to practice restraint, but they must also be a little flexible when making food choices.
Willpower is defined as strength of will, mind, or determination; it is also called self-control.  Willpower is a state of mind that comes from a desire to improve or change something.  People often have good intentions when dieting, but temptations comes and they do not have the willpower to make the right choices.  Willpower weakens over time; it does not remain constant.  The strength of willpower usually depends on how much it is used.
First, you will need to find out what behavioral changes you need to make in order to have a successful weight-loss program.  When making any behavioral changes, go slow and deal with only one change at a time, or you will get discouraged.  Be patient with yourself, and maintain a positive attitude.  You did not gain the weight overnight, and you will not lose it overnight.  Develop a support system with a group of people who are also having trouble losing weight.  Where, what, when why, and know how you eat dose make a difference.
Next time: Suggestions for when you are dieting.