How to lose weight the healthy way and why diets often fail?
Learn how to achieve healthy, long-term weight loss. Understand why diets often fail and explore evidence-based approaches for sustainable results.
29 March 2025
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Megha Bhola
Losing weight is a major goal for many people, yet sustainable weight loss can quickly feel like an uphill battle. Many try countless weight-loss tips, only to regain the weight shortly after completing a strict, exhausting diet. Crash diets often promise fast results but fail to deliver long-term success.
In this article, you’ll learn what healthy weight loss really means, why most diets fail, and which evidence-based approaches are best suited for losing weight in a healthy, sustainable way.
Healthy weight loss focuses on gradual, sustainable lifestyle changes rather than quick fixes. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), safe and effective weight loss typically ranges from 0.5 to 1 kg per week (CDC, 2022). This approach not only supports healthy weight reduction but also improves:
Cardiovascular health
Metabolic health
Mental wellbeing
Long-term weight maintenance
Unlike fad diets that promise rapid results, healthy weight loss emphasizes lasting habits that help prevent weight regain and the yo-yo effect.
Many people struggle with weight loss because traditional diets prioritize quick results over long-term lifestyle changes. Common reasons include:
Fad diets often eliminate entire food groups or severely restrict certain macronutrients, which can lead to deficiencies in essential vitamins, minerals, and fiber (Malik et al., 2007).
Over time, these deficiencies may contribute to health issues such as a weakened immune system, low energy levels, and chronic disease. Extreme restriction is what makes fad diets a risky approach to long-term wellbeing (Tahreem et al., 2022).
Additionally, drastic calorie reduction can slow metabolism, making it harder to maintain weight loss.
While fad diets can lead to initial weight loss, this often comes with unwanted side effects. Rapid early weight loss is usually due to water or muscle loss rather than fat loss.
The body may initially respond to sudden calorie restriction or food elimination, but it quickly adapts by slowing metabolism to conserve energy — known as “starvation mode” (Fothergill et al., 2016). This makes sustained weight loss more difficult and increases the likelihood of regaining weight once normal eating patterns resume (Most et al., 2020).
A 2024 study from the University of North Carolina found that many people on diets become overly focused on their weight, turning it into a central life concern. This intense focus can undermine weight loss by:
Creating stress and anxiety around food choices and eating behaviors
Leading to cycles of self-doubt and shame when diet goals aren’t met
Distracting from other important areas of life, such as relationships and work
To lose weight in a truly healthy way, it’s essential to focus on behavior change and sustainable habits rather than extreme restriction (Polivy & Herman, 2005).
Instead of relying on quick-fix weight-loss tips, a personalized and holistic approach is key to sustainable results.
Working with a dietitian can help you develop an individualized nutrition plan. Consulting a general practitioner can also help assess your health status and how it impacts your weight-loss goals. Personalization is crucial — close collaboration between dietitians and general practitioners ensures a holistic strategy tailored to your specific needs (Johns et al., 2014).
A 2022 study published in The BMJ found that weight-management interventions supported by general practitioners led to effective weight loss, with an average reduction of 2.3 kg and a smaller waist circumference after 12 months.
A structured nutrition plan should consider:
Your medical history and current health status
Your personal weight-loss goals
Your nutritional needs and lifestyle
Cultural and dietary preferences
Unlike fad diets, professional guidance helps you lose weight without harming your metabolism or mental wellbeing.
Rather than obsessing over how to lose weight fast, focus on habits that lead to lasting results:
Mindful eating: Avoid distractions while eating and pay attention to hunger and fullness cues.
Balanced meals: Prioritize whole foods, lean protein, fiber, and healthy fats.
Avoid restrictive eating: A flexible approach helps prevent binge eating.
Stay active: Choose movement you enjoy instead of extreme workout plans.
Building long-term healthy habits allows you to lose weight sustainably — not just temporarily.
Successful weight loss isn’t just about nutrition; it considers overall health:
Regular physical activity: Combine strength training and cardio to burn fat and build lean muscle.
Stress management: Chronic stress raises cortisol levels and promotes weight gain, especially around the abdomen.
Adequate sleep: Poor sleep disrupts hunger hormones, making weight loss more difficult.
Hydration and nutrients: Drink enough water and ensure sufficient intake of essential vitamins and minerals.
By combining these elements, you can achieve sustainable weight loss without harmful side effects.
Sources:
1. Malik N, Tonstad S, Paalani M, Dos Santos H, Luiz do Prado W. Are long-term FAD diets restricting micronutrient intake? A randomized controlled trial. Food Sci Nutr. 2020;8(11):6047-6060. doi:10.1002/fsn3.1895.
2. Tahreem A, Rakha A, Rabail R, Nazir A, Socol CT, Maerescu CM, Aadil RM. Fad diets: facts and fiction. Front Nutr. 2022;9:960922. doi:10.3389/fnut.2022.960922.
3. Most J, Redman LM. Impact of calorie restriction on energy metabolism in humans. Exp Gerontol. 2020 May;133:110875. doi: 10.1016/j.exger.2020.110875. Epub 2020 Feb 11. PMID: 32057825; PMCID: PMC9036397.
4. North Carolina State University. "Study urges people to think twice before going on a diet." ScienceDaily. www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/01/240129122448 .
5. BMJ 2022;377:e069719 http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/ bmj‑2021‑069719