Some say that there’s no such thing as an “easy diet.” The truth of the matter is that there is such a thing as a diet that’s easy, but anyone who defines “easy diet” as “eat what you want and don’t exercise” is going to be sorely disappointed by the facts of the matter.

Here’s the truth about the easy diet: nobody reaches their target weight and shape without even trying. There are shortcuts, there are things that can be done to make it not seem so tough, but while there is such a thing as an easy diet, there’s no such thing as a no-work, no-effort diet. It takes a little self control and some effort to lose weight.

Anyone looking to start dieting should take care to read up on nutrition before changing their eating habits. The truth is that jumping into an easy diet plan without doing a little research can often be worse for one’s health than not dieting at all. Those diets that load the dieter up on one nutrient while starving them of another are definitely to be avoided.

Likewise, a diet plan that just says that dieters can eat whatever they want is a bad one, as well. There are a lot of good diets out there, and finding one that’s just right can be about as tricky as finding that hat or those shoes that are “just right.” Everyone has a different body, they have different experiences in life, and the right diet might not always be the same for two different people.

Whatever the case may be, finding just the right diet often has to do with finding a diet plan that lets somebody work around that one item that they can’t live without, whether by creating a lower-calorie, lower-fat alternative, or by making up the difference with moderation. Finding a diet that’s “easy” means finding a diet that one can follow without going crazy.