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 a person can stick with is the problem. The 46.8 billion dollar diet industry (as of 2005) depends not on people staying healthy and keeping off weight, but rather on people taking an endless yo-yo ride between health and fat. Because repeat business brings in the cash, 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. That diet will result in losing weight. But there are two difficulties. The first is that cravings are likely to ruin the diet. Sooner or later, particularly after returning home from work outs, those 1000 calories won't be enough to satisfy. One piece of cake, or just one bag of chips, or one extra hot dog will soon motivate you to ending the diet. The second issue is what happens after the diet ends? What happens when the weight is lost? What, you'll return to eating the same way you ate prior to the diet? Guess what, then the weight will return. Next beach season, or next fancy dress ball, or next family trip, or simply the next time you glance at 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 one making a change to overall diet, forever. More and more people now understand that to lose weight it's best to make a whole lifestyle change, including healthier eating habits and more physical activity. Connie Guttersen created the Sonoma Diet which, as a base, discusses 10 "power foods." These are almonds, bell peppers, blueberries, broccoli, grapes, olive oil, spinach, strawberries, tomatoes and whole grains, eaten in conjunction with the cuisine of the Sonoma country, which includes Asian, Latin American and Mediterranean influences. The diet is full of real food, and real portions, combined into enjoyable dishes to help encourage someone to stay with it .

Want a diet that works? Move your mind from a short term diet to a long term style that's part of an overall healthy and active lifestyle. That way you won't gain the pounds in the first place.