Maybe it’s a sly comment from hubby or an unflattering snapshot on Facebook.
Or perhaps simply the prospect of trying to squeeze into that little black dress for the office Christmas party.
But whatever the motivation to start dieting, it lasts little more than a week.
A study has found that the average woman is so weak-willed when it comes to weight-loss that she gives up after just eight days.
The poll of 1 000, published last week, found that only 4 percent of women are really confident about the way they look.
Their insecurities are highlighted by the fact that 42 percent are currently trying to lose a few kilos. Most said they had been spurred on to lose weight after being dismayed by the sight of themselves in the mirror.
Others said they had vowed to diet after comments by their spouse, or spotting unflattering pictures on social networking website Facebook.
Some had been inspired by celebrity weight-loss stories, while a few admitted they were doing it for a better love life.
But in most cases, efforts to slim down will be short-lived.
According to the study, by diet brand Slim-Fast, the average women sticks to a weight-loss plan for just eight days.
Nutritionist Fiona Hunter said: “Women up and down the country tend to pull out all the stops when it comes to dieting.
“But maintaining their regimes for any length of time can be difficult, as these figures show.
“It ultimately comes down to willpower and also having a diet with an easy-to-follow structure.
“Finding a diet that suits you and your lifestyle will give you a much greater chance of success.”
Self-confessed serial dieter Rachel Stone admitted she struggled to stay as trim as she would like.
The 26-year-old, from Portsmouth, said: “Whenever I start a new diet I’m determined to stick to it.
“I’ll start on a Sunday and will be really good throughout the working week, but then the next weekend arrives and invariably I slip by letting myself eat junk food.
“After that it all seems to go downhill and within a couple of weeks I’ve completely lost interest.
“This happens two to three times a year. I’ve been through many different diets over the years.”
The survey also found that women spend an average of two-and-a- half hours a week exercising, ranging from three-and-a-quarter hours in Edinburgh to just one hour in Wales. - Daily Mail