For quite some time, as I've fought with my personal weight problems (usual middle age battle of the bulge stuff actually, nothing so special). I've been researching tirelessly on various kinds of diet and weight loss programs. I've spoken personally with people that have tried a variety of weight loss pills and supplements or tested them myself. A product that has either satisfied me in the long-term or those whom I have talked with is yet to be found. As a result, I'm beginning to question myself as to whether these quick fix diet plans and pills work, or if it's a problem that goes deeper than the diet pill itself? Is the fault ours or that of the diet industry? Whether diet pills are indeed a viable option to lose weight or if they are just a big scam is something that I've researched into. Everybody has seen 'Judy's (or Jennifer's or whomever's) Weight Loss Blog' with their insanely unbelievable before and after photos? They seem just a gimmick to make me buy the products they're pushing and not real people. One study I came across in my research mentioned that 83% of dieters regain more weight than they had previously lost after only 2 years. Depressing, I know. These so called "miracle" diets are only be a temporary fix in the big scheme of things according to this fact. Are these diet companies merely preying upon our ignorance, hopes and insecurities, in the guise of trying to help us reach our goals? In fact, chances are that they never wanted us to succeed in the first place. Maybe they only want us to fail harder so that we'll pay more and more money to get temporary results that never stick. The only pounds we shed for good are the ones that come from our lighter wallets, as we line the pockets of these diet companies. Who doesn't, myself included, wish to have the body of a movie star? Come on, don't lie to yourself, you've wished for it too. To be frank, we're never going to look like Demi Moore unless we pay to visit her plastic surgeon though diet pill companies make it seem otherwise. Teams of personal trainers, chefs and ample time to workout and burn away the fat are also there to help out movie stars. In today's world, there's no such thing as a magic pill because the diet industry cannot squeeze all that into a pill. I've also got some shares in a Nigerian gold mine to sell you if there are such pills. The fact is, we have to make major lifestyle changes to meet our weight loss goals. It is tough I know, but I have to say it. We need to know the concepts of dieting, controlling our wish to eat, know why and in the end, and make attempt to reach our goals. It won't always be easy, but it is very possible and will take time and discipline. Is there any reason why you should not since I've been making the effort and have seen the results myself? My weight loss has been slower than Jenny's or Judy's, but remember, slow and steady wins the race. Formulate your plan and then act on it after taking some time every day. Also enjoy a healthier longer life while making the effort to lose weight. You know how especially important this is if you have kids, like I do. I plan on being around for a long time and actively enjoying my grandchildren (even if it's a long, long way off). Read the 13 Simple Rules to Diet Success for more information on how you can get motivated and start a successful weight loss program. Get some more info on diet plans and tips on losing weight.