What do statistics tell you? If you can believe them, you can use what the statistics show to compare yourself with others.

Here are some statistics to compare yourself with.

The average number of weight-loss attempts for women in the United States, as reported in the 2011 Gallup Poll, was seven. Twenty-six percent said they tried losing their unwanted weight once or twice, 37% tried 3 to 10 times, and 10% tried more than 10 times.

In 1998, according to the National Health Interview Survey, the most common strategies among women trying to lose some weight were eating fewer calories, eating less fat, and exercising more. Less frequent strategies were skipping meals, eating food supplements, joining a weight-loss program, taking diet pills, taking diuretics, or fasting for 24 hours or more.

In 2011 the Gallup Poll reported that men and women cited the most effective weight-loss strategies as dietary changes and not exercising. First on the list of dietary changes by far were eating less and dieting. Then came counting calories and portion control, eating more natural foods, avoiding sugar/sweets/soda, Weight Watchers, Atkins (low carb/high protein), eating more fruits/vegetables/salads, and eating a low fat diet.

What do you think? How do you stack up? Have you tried to lose weight more than the average? If so, do you know why?