Build Your Own Diet

Life’s not always fair, and neither are diets.

One person embarks on a fad diet and the pounds seem to simply melt away, while another takes on the same diet plan and the unwanted weight … stays put.

If you’re one of the unlucky latter and have always wondered if you’re doing something wrong, stop wondering. New evidence shows that this imbalance may not be just your imagination.

Research done on fruit flies indicates that the effect of diets might have a biological component. Specifically, the interaction of genes with diet more strongly influences metabolic traits like body weight than diet alone.

A takeaway message from this study, the researchers say, is that one size doesn’t fit all when it comes to diet and weight loss. A particular plan can have dramatically different effects from person to person, based on his or her individual genetic and environmental factors.

What does this mean for those looking for a weight-loss plan that will really work?

Most notably, it means you need to find a plan that is tailored to you, your metabolism, and your lifestyle, not necessarily one your friend or coworker swears by.

Instead of becoming discouraged if your first attempt to shed extra pounds falls short, do your research and determine a regimen that fits your unique needs.

Long-term results require long-term commitment: The hot new diet of the month will not likely yield the lifelong changes you’re striving for.

Though you might want to see results quickly (and who doesn’t?), it’s better to take the slow and steady approach, say experts.

Aim for 1 to 2 pounds per week, burning 500 calories a day through diet and exercise. A plan that promises more and faster results might not be the safest or most effective choice.

And remember that a do-it-yourself approach may be best. Take the most appealing aspects of several different plans, modify them to suit your needs, and come up with something that will work for you.

WebMD offers some other tips for choosing the right weight-loss plan for you: