According to this survey, one of the most common New Year's resolutions among Americans is to lose weight and get in shape. This is unsurprising in a country that has the highest obesity rate in the world. In 2016, ten U.S. states reported that approximately 70 percent of their population was either overweight or obese, pointing to a significant public health crisis.

Of course, most people recognize the danger of obesity to their overall health, and dieting is popular among those who are looking to improve their general well-being. However, despite the fact that most Americans are overweight or obese, obesity is often seen as unattractive or a sign of laziness or poor character. This also drives much of the motivation to lose weight. It's hardly surprising then, that the U.S. weight loss industry was worth a staggering $70.3 billion in 2018.

But why do 4 out of 5 new diet plans fail within a month? Well, there are lots of reasons, not least of which is focusing too much on the food while neglecting lifestyle changes and the importance of breaking and forming habits. In order to achieve lasting change, most people will need to embrace a whole new way of living, one that goes beyond simply hopping from one fad diet to the next.

Here are some common problems that people find when embarking on a weight loss attempt.

• Failing to nourish the body - Your body needs certain nutrients to function properly, withholding food with starvation diets will cause metabolic and hormonal changes that can be damaging in the long run. Instead of punishing yourself by going hungry to lose weight, see food as a medicine than can heal and nourish and promote healthy changes in your body.

• Unrealistic goals - Many people give up too soon on their weight loss journey because they were expecting quick and easy results. Set short term goals that are achievable, and slowly form new habits and routines that encourage a healthier lifestyle. Sustained weight loss takes time and patience!

• Physiological issues - Sometimes you can do everything right and still not succeed, leading to feelings of hopelessness and shame. This is where you can go to a doctor to investigate deeper, underlying issues such as hormonal imbalances, adrenal fatigue, gut flora conditions and thyroid problems. These kind of things can cause weight gain that is entirely not your fault, and by finding the root cause of your struggles you can hopefully address them and move on with a healthy eating regime. Eventually when you regain your full health, weight loss will naturally follow!