The "Best" Diet for Weight Loss

When people ask me about the "best" diet for losing weight, I always say it's one that works for you. As long as there is balance on your plate, and fewer calories consumed, you'll lose weight. Does this sound like I am avoiding the answer? Not at all!

My response is actually right on target, based on a study I just read. This report (in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition) studied people on a reduced calorie plan - either a vegetarian-type (including milk and eggs) or a more "traditional" plan with chicken, fish, meat, etc. But that's not the only interesting part to me. People also were asked if they had a personal preference for either plan.

This sounded especially good to me, since research studies don't often match reality: people are most often "assigned" to a diet group, whether they like the plan or not. In this study, people could choose their plan, if they had a preference (as you would in real-life), which should help motivation and ablility to "stick with it".

So, what did the study show? (drumroll, please!). Everyone lost about the same amount of weight during the study period. It didn't matter if it was a "vegetarian" or "traditional" plan - and it didn't matter if the dieter had a certain preference for one plan or the other.

My conclusion? Pick a plan that fits YOUR lifestyle and eating temperament.

I'd love to hear about your personal insights in how YOU selected a diet plan that works. We're all in this for the long haul. A realistic plan is the first step!

Comments

I am trying to have a 1400 calorie diet that includes all types of food including 200 calories of "dessert" foods. I know I will always have a sweet tooth so why kid myself that I will not eat sweets. I have just included them in my diet plan for the rest of my life and very happy with that decision.

I lost 15 pounds one summer by eating eggs and canadian bacon for breakfast, salad with tuna for lunch and chicken or steak with beans for dinner. It was a modified version of the South Beach Diet and it worked really well.

I've found that just keeping track of those calories is the best way to go...oh and excercise is a must. Some days you might eat healthier than others but if you keep the calories down you lose. Typically you will start choosing foods that are healthier b/c you tend to get more for the calories. I've lost 43 pounds through calorie restriction, usually about 1400 net. Net calories being calories consumed minus calories burned through exercise. It's not fast but it's more permanent than fad diets.

Some people are blessed that they can just watch a specific regimen and loose weight. I think most people really see a change when they incorporate exercise :)

I have lost 10 lbs so far, and have not altered my life too much. I choose grilled instead of fried whenever possible. If I have fast food, I set out to only eat half of everything. I am usually surprised at how satisfied I feel after only a few bites. I look at the calories and fat content on packages now. For example, I often ate those cheese & cracker packs for a snack on the run. I found out that one package is supposed to be TWO servings, making a total of 20 gms of fat and 400calories. Not worth it. Also, I pick an excercise to do during each commercial of a t.v. program, ex: jumping jacks, squats, tummy crunches, etc. I don't feel like I'm on a diet, but I am getting fit and slim anyway!

I havent weighed yet, as Ive just started.
Im eating this for Breakfst lunch and dinner.
Lettuce, green beans.chopped eggs. chuncks of Chicken or fish, With oil / vinegar / 3 pks of fake sugar. for the dressing.
ALso about 3-4 cups coffee with milk.
I mix it all up and eat it throuh out the day.
I love it, I sure feel so much better.
No more loading up on sugar and sweets.
I will improve on the ntrition part as soon as I can.
I take supplements and -D-etc.

Good site! Good resources here, All the best!

I started my weight loss in Jan 06. I have gone from 310 pounds to 155 pounds. i don't do fad diets. i incorporate the foods that i like. i'm in it for life. i eat grilled and broiled meats instead of fried. if we eat fast food, i choose grilled chicken sandwich instead of a cheeseburger. i feel so much better and have come off of my bp medications. during my adult life, i continued to gain weight. when my 7 year old son started school, i realized that i had to do something so that i would be able to enjoy his childhood. That was my inspiration and it has been so worth it. I love your website and there is so much great info.

Believe it or not I lost 25 lbs by doing something I call the fast food three dollar a day diet. What I did was for breakfast east a sausage biscuit and hashbrown that cost a dollar. For lunch I would have fast food that cost no more than a dollar and likewise for dinner. Along with all of this I would drink lots of distilled water throughout the day and exercise and to my surprise I lost weight!!! Overall by doing this many calories were being cut throughout the day. I love fast food and thought I would give this a shot, it worked! I did this diet back in 2003 since then through proper nutrition and a good exercise routine I have been able to keep the weight off!

Because of a relationship with a woman half my age (~30/60) I am very motivated to lose lbs. I am moderately active but admitted that my exercise could not possibly keep up with my calories. I am 5' 7" and was 223 lbs. In 13 weeks I've lost 28 lbs for 195. I used calorie restriction (1200-1500/day) and increased exercise. I happen to love fruit, veggies, and salad. My Breakfast is unsweetened whole grain cereal, and I skip lunch - I don't feel hungry, but I'm motivated. 80% of my meals are salad with a little oil (SmartBalance - longtime user), Parmesan cheese, and turkey or chicken. I am eating what I like and a lot of it. I fell in no way deprived. Sort of a cross between the caveman diet, the zone, and glycemic impact. I am shooting for an ideal 145 at which point I will switch to maintenance.

BTW: A trick I used in the first few days to reduce hunger was Gluccomannan capsules, available in heath food stores – a soluble fiber that soaks up water to form a gelatinous mass that promotes satiety. I saw an ad on TV for a miracle weight lose product that was mainly Amorphophallus konjac, which I recognized as Gluccomannan. Packed at multiples of its actual retail. Also, I saw recently that Smilin’ Bob was on the drug store shelves – no credit card. I always suspected that it might contain L-Arginine (or instant viagra; NO spells Yes! - available in heath food stores, supermarkets, and peanuts) was an ingredient. Better than the horny goat weed by a mile. Learned about it some years before SB from Dr. Sinatra’s medical website.

I was determined not to be fat after my hysterectomy... i drink slimfast at noon, (nothing for breakfast, just coffee) and a small dinner..I lost 80 pounds..........

here a list of best body fat informatory websites
http://www.americanvistas.com/index.html

http://www.lose-your-body-fat.com/

I love the "Body For Life" plan. I eat six small,healthy meals a day(I love variety). Exercise with weights and cardio for 30 minutes a day (truly...that's all) and the best part is that one day a week(my choosing) I eat whatever I want and don't work out. I'm so not into deprivation! I wanted a lifestyle plan...I can do this the rest of my life. The books and website for this plan are awesome! I've lost 22 pounds and now I'm working on the remaining 30 to go. Yeee-hawww!

I lost 30 pounds this summer by eating cold cereal or oatmeal and apple for breakfast, salad 1 fruit for lunch, and 2 servings of cooked vegetables with fruit for supper. Bedtime snack was f/f yogurt. I push-mowed my grass for exercise!