Many people need to lose weight, and lots of them are always on the look out for diets that work. It's not really difficult to find diets that work, but finding a diet you can stick with is the problem. The diet industry is huge. Between books, diet food programs, trainers and nutritionists, spas, and all the other elements of the health and diet industry a lot of money, over 46.8 billion dollars in 2005, is made not from people becoming healthy or losing weight, but rather from people trying to become healthy or lose weight. Because repeat business brings in the cash, the focus is naturally on methods and products that work for a short time but result in return business.

Here's a diet that works. Drink only water, eat only 1000 calories each day, and combine it with 30 minutes of aerobic activity five times a week. It's a guarantee you'll lose weight. But there are two problems. 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 steer you to dropping off the diet. The second problem is what happens after the diet ends? What happens when the weight is gone? What, you'll go right back to eating the same way you ate before the diet? Guess what, then the weight will return. Next spring, or next time to wear that dress or tuxedo, or next vacation, 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 a permanent diet. More and more people are coming to realize that to lose weight it's best to change lifestyle, including healthier eating habits and more physical activity. The Sonoma Diet, created by Connie Guttersen, focuses on ten “power foods.” These are almonds, bell peppers, blueberries, broccoli, grapes, olive oil, spinach, strawberries, tomatoes and whole grains, combined with the cuisine of the Sonoma country, which includes Asian, Latin American and Mediterranean influences. The diet includes a wide variety of real, and enjoyable foods so it's easy to stay on 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 put on the pounds in the first place.