Americans confess to trying this many different weight loss strategies

According to new research, nine in 10 American adults have tried at least one weight loss strategy in their lifetime.

A poll of 2,000 adults revealed that 91% have tried at least one strategy for weight loss, with half revealing that they’ve tried 11 different methods of weight loss.

A quarter of Americans even confessed to trying at least 16 different weight loss strategies.

In fact, 32% of respondents who have been on a weight loss journey reported successfully losing weight but then gaining it back, with only 28% percent report successfully losing weight and keeping it off.

But going on a weight loss journey doesn’t appear to be sustainable for many, as respondents described their overall experience with weight loss as “overwhelming” (37%) and “unsuccessful” (31%) while only 15% described their weight loss experience as “rewarding.”

Almost two-thirds (65%) agree that it is difficult to think about weight loss long-term because of the sacrifices that come with it.

Conducted by OnePoll on behalf of evidence-based weight care platform, Found, the survey revealed that most respondents felt that losing weight (34%) required more sacrifice than having kids (33%), cutting back on finances (30%) and even starting a new job (28%).

Reflecting on their own weight loss experiences, respondents felt they had to sacrifice their happiness (31%), mental well-being (29%) and love or relationships (28%) in order to lose weight.

More than half (54%) have even given up on losing weight because they felt they were sacrificing too much.

But those surveyed had goals that went beyond the numbers on the scale. Of those who have gone on a weight loss journey, a plurality (44%) said the outcome they were most hoping for was feeling more confident with their bodies.

Other popular goals include wanting to feel healthier overall (42%) and wanting to be able to do an activity without stopping, such as walking a mile, climbing stairs or strolling through the mall (also 42%).

In fact, almost four in five (79%) want to be healthier, not skinnier.