In this update from the American Dietetic Association that includes current trends with diet and nutrition, there are 3 categories of dieters. While those using Medifast may be active in trying to achieve a healthy weight, it is important to know that a healthy lifestyle involves more than just a healthy diet. Nonetheless, there are 3 general categories of people when it comes to dieting -- 1) those who are doing it; 2) those who aren't doing it but know they should; and 3) those who don't want to be bothered with any info on what they should or shouldn't be doing.  The number 2 group probably lacks motivation either to get started or to stick with a healthy diet plan and lifestyle, while the number 3 group it's safe to say just doesn't care. The number 3 groupl may suffer from either lost hope, lack of goals and/or purpose, and possibly coupled with lack of motivation - afterall, how many people do you know that are all motivated to get something more out of their life but just end up chasing their tail!? Here's more as reported on ScienceDaily.com --

ScienceDaily (Nov. 6, 2008) — Increasing numbers of American adults are aware of the importance of nutrition and physical activity and are taking steps to eat a healthy diet and engage in exercise, according to the American Dietetic Association's nationwide consumer opinion survey, Nutrition and You: Trends 2008.

In each ADA survey since 1991, ADA has used respondents' answers to a number of different questions to segment consumers into three groups representing people's overall attitudes toward maintaining a healthy diet and getting regular exercise:

I'm Already Doing It: Consumers who feel that maintaining a healthy diet and regular exercise are very important; are concerned about diet, nutrition and overall fitness; and feel they are doing all they can to eat a healthy diet.

I Know I Should: Consumers who feel that maintaining a healthy diet and regular exercise are very important, but may not have taken significant actions to do all they can to eat a healthy diet.

Don't Bother Me: People who do not feel diet and exercise are very important to them and are the least concerned with their overall nutrition and fitness. read more...

Bottom line: One of the easiest things to do if you have trouble sticking to a diet plan or just getting started, is to take it one simple step at a time. If you were going to climb a mountain and you had never been climbing before, you certainly wouldn't expect to climb it in the first day, or even the first week of setting out to accomplish your goal. While weight loss and fitness isn't climbing a mountain, it does require preparation, education, training, tools, and a manageable plan. Afterall, you're going to want health and fitness for the rest of your life...don't you? One simple change that creates at least some positive results is the best way to boost what little motivation you may have, in order to fuel your drive to continue on. This is why the first step(s) in any diet or weight loss plan are very critical to your success - you want to minimize the risk of failing. The Vice Busting Diet Plans are laid out in such a way that maximizes your chance for weight loss, fitness, and a permanently healthy lifestyle, because it takes into consideration human nature! That is - 1) that change is not always easy; 2) changing your overall lifestyle is not something most people can conceive doing; and 3) success needs to come quickly, otherwise the notion is that failure is setting in. For this reason, the steps to The Vice Busting Diet Plans are meant to be easy, gradual, and provide the feeling of success for each step made (and there are 26 steps in all!), and eventually the 'look' of success - weight loss and fitness - comes about too. So don't be in group #2 or #3. Take care of yourself, your body - it's the only one you have!

The Health & Wellness Institute

If you are interested in a meal plan to assist with your diet plans and weight loss, Medifast provides a diet that makes it easy to plan the foods and meals you will eat. Click here - Medifast - to try the Medifast diet meal plan to help you get started losing weight. Medifast is physician-developed.