The world of diets is downright confusing, isn’t it? If you’re looking for how to lose weight fast, you may have tried Atkins (high fat, low carbohydrate), Dean Ornish (low fat, high carbohydrate), the acai berry diet, and even South Beach, but which one is truly best has always really been a coin toss, until now, according to one study in a recent New England Journal of Medicine. The recent study on diets with different levels of carbohydrates, protein and fat for weight loss received a lot attention because it seems to have the answer: it makes no difference, it seems. Losing weight is still all about the balance of calories in, calories out. Less food (no matter if it comes from bread, beef or oil) will lead to weight loss. And listen to this: they also found that after about six months of one particular diet, you probably will no longer be meeting your targeted amounts of fat, protein or carbohydrates, but it doesn’t matter, as long as calories stay low.
They also found that successful dieters attended group sessions and the more sessions they attended, the more weight they lost. However, dieters did start gaining back weight after the initial weight loss and ended up losing about nine pounds at the end of two years. This reminds us that the best strategy to fight the pounds is constant checking–weigh yourself every day or two and monitor how your favorite clothes fit to really know. The study also claims that there is no magic food that will stop hunger, as all the dieters reported feeling satisfied with the plan they were assigned to and there were no differences in hunger or fullness among the groups.
Do I buy this study as the word of the Bible? I am not so certain it’s true for everyone, as I know that when I eat higher protein foods, I feel satisfied much longer and tend to eat much less than when I am eating higher carbs. I’d be interested in knowing what you out there think about it. Plus, I find that when I lift weights, it’s easier to stay slim. I do however, agree that when you have the support of your family and friends to help you stay motivated to lose weight and keep it off, the end result is much better and longer lasting…Till next time!