Is Your Diet Suitable for Long Term?

There are many fitness and weight loss experts who believe that diets are not a long-term solution to weight loss. While they're right to some extent, their definition of diet is quite narrow.
Most of the Western population is on the Standard American Diet (SAD), which involves lots of carbs, processed foods, junk food, etc. This is a diet too.

Diets are not just limited to the Atkins diet, paleo diet, etc. As long as you're eating a list of foods regularly, that list is your diet. If you stopped to examine the foods you ate every day, you'd realize that after 3 weeks, there's really not that much variety.

We are creatures of habit and mostly eat the same foods all the time, just on different days. I am so guilty of this also. So, when you're on a weight loss diet, it'll have to be something that you can comfortably stick with in the long run which brings us to the first point.

Are you struggling?

If you're struggling with your diet, it's almost certain that it's not suitable for you in the long term. When we refer to struggle, we mean that even after 2 months of doing it, you still hate it.
There are thousands of people who force themselves to get on a diet just because it's effective.

For example, the keto diet is very effective and will help you shed the pounds fast.
If you force yourself to get on it and endure eating bacon, avocados and coconut oil despite the fact that you hate these foods, in the short term, you will lose weight. However, in the long term, you'll go back to your old diet and eat the detrimental foods that you used to eat.
You'll regain all the pounds you've lost and be back at square one. This scenario happens every single day. It's the reason why so many people who have successfully lost weight, gained all of it back.

The key to finding a diet that suitable for you, is to look at the foods you love and ascertain which are healthy and which are not. Then try and replace the unhealthy foods with healthier option and only indulge in the unhealthy, but tasty foods once a week or so.
By sticking with the foods you love in moderation, and cleaning up your diet overall, you'll have a diet that you actually enjoy, is healthy and you can sustain it in the long term.

* How stringent is it?
Some diets like the paleo diet are extremely stringent and will require you to jump through hoops just to adhere to it. In the short term, you may be able to endure the hassle, but in the long run it could be a nightmare.

Weight loss doesn't have to be this hard. You do not need to obsess over what foods you should eat and should not eat. You don't have to eat meat daily like you're a lion. There are better ways to lose weight.
The same can be said for most other diets that are too strict and are either too low carb or anti-sugar, etc. Tailor a diet to your needs that's healthy and tasty. 

* Is it a fad?
Fad diets will never last. There are tons of fad diets around with fanciful names and a new unique spin on things. Almost always, they're just hype.

The fundamentals of a diet are always the same. Eat clean nutritious foods, eat fruits and vegetables, avoid excessive simple carb intake, cut down your intake of processed foods, consume foods that don't spike your blood sugar levels and drink lots of water.

That's it. No diet is perfect for everyone. Create one using the fundamentals mentioned and tailor it to fit your lifestyle. That's the best way to lose weight on a diet and you'll be able to maintain it for a long time.