Study: Dieters slather on the optimism

When it comes to losing weight, people have high hopes: 41% are trying now to trim down, and they'd like to lose 37 pounds, a poll reported Monday. ...

Many people become frustrated when they don't lose more or even regain some of what they lost.

"People often have unrealistic expectations of their ability to lose weight," says Samuel Klein, director of the Center for Human Nutrition at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis.

That can lead to frustration, disappointment and weight regain.

It's difficult to lose weight and keep it off because all the factors that made you heavy to begin with are still there, including your genetics, biology and environmental influences, such as high-calorie foods, restaurants that serve large portions, a sedentary job and social interactions with friends and family, Klein says.

"These factors work against you to bring you back to your original weight."

•	Study: Dieters slather on the optimism USA Today, Tuesday, May 8, 2007 Byline: Nanci Hellmich, USA TODAY