An excerpt from The Z-Diet by Dr. Warren Willey

Most would agree that successful weight loss means successful weight loss maintenance. All diets work for weight loss, they fail when it comes to maintenance. Defining weight loss maintenance is difficult and usually a personal perception. Do you consider weight loss failure if you gain one of ten pounds back after a diet?

In the world of weight loss medicine, we have a few simple definitions: The Institute of Medicine defines it as intentional weight loss of 5% or more and maintained for one year. The National Institute of Health defines it as weight loss of 10% or more and maintained for one year. The National Weight Control Registry considers weight loss of 30 pounds or more and maintained for at least one year. The point being, I would most certainly imagine that each of you reading this has a perception of successful weight loss, and I am certain that it contains some aspect of maintenance.

I would implore that everyone understand this all diets work for weight loss. The diet that consists of drinking protein shakes all day and everyday to the ones that make you exercise like crazy; they will work for weight loss. Find a plan that will work for long term weight loss maintenance by avoiding the diets that contain or do the following:

• Substitute real food for supplements i.e. protein drinks as the basis of the plan
• Cost you money beyond your normal food budget
• Interrupt or disrupt your ability to engage in social activity
• Are very time consuming and difficult

Weight loss is a process, not an event. Choose a weight loss plan that will allow as much normalcy in your life at the same time you modify your caloric intake and increase your caloric burn. Dietary adherence is the secret to long term weight loss maintenance.