To Be A Biggest Loser Pick A Plan, Any Plan and Go For It! — Dave’s Diary

Watching The Biggest Loser the other night and I was really drawn in to the people's stories and struggles.  I never thought the show would fly but I was wrong and it has been great TV.As we are reminded with each episode, the best way to lose weight is to eat less and move more, but people who need more guidance and who don't have a network and world class coaches to back them often turn to a diet with a brand name or a trademark, such as Atkins or Weight Watchers.

Of all of these, which one works best? It's an easy answer: They all work about the same. But here's the gotcha: While it may not matter which diet you use, the key to weight loss is sticking to it. You have to be disciplined.

That's the word from Bradley Johnston of the Michael G. DeGroote School of Medicine at McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario, who conducted a meta-analysis of 48 randomized clinical trials of 11 branded diets that included more than 7,200 overweight and obese adults with a median age of 46 years. The research team assessed weight loss at six and 12 months. The bottom line conclusions:

• At the six-month follow-up, those who were on low-carbohydrate diets lost 19 more pounds than those who were not on a diet.
• At the six-month follow-up, those who were on low-fat diets lost 17 more pounds than those on no diet.
• After 12 months about two to three pounds of that difference was gone, and there was no difference between low-carbohydrate and low-fat diets.
• Behavioral support in a diet made a difference at six months, enhancing weight loss by about seven pounds, while exercise was significant at 12 months, improving weight loss by about 4.5 pounds.

So, pick your poison...er, program and stick to it.  Find some friends who will help with the emotional side and hit the gym!