And none of it worked.
As you've learned the hard way, diets typically do not succeed.
Research has shown that when you attempt to restrict calories severely, your body burns calories more slowly, according to the American Dietetic Association (ADA). The association also reports that the two-year success rate in keeping off weight lost on what's commonly called a "crash diet" is only two to five percent.
Ouch.
But what about the fat-free way? Can't you eat your fat-free cake, and lose weight, too? Sigh. Well, no. If you put too many calories into your body - whether they're fat-free or low-fat or high-fat - and don't burn up that same amount or more of energy, you'll gain weight.
No magic. Just plain math.
The trick? Research has shown that you can burn more calories by increasing the amount of muscle. And the best method, reports the ADA, is to combine exercise with a healthy diet. And here's an incentive for combining weight-lifting with aerobic activity: in addition to helping you burn more calories throughout the day, weight-lifting can help prevent osteoporosis.
But what constitutes a healthy diet? And how do you know how much weight you need to lose? Uncle Sam has the answers. The U.S. government's Web site offers a detailed height-weight chart and a thorough description of the food pyramid.
Entitled "Weight Loss for Life," the site explains that "using the Food Guide Pyramid and the Nutrition Facts Label that is found on most processed food products can help you choose a healthful diet. The Pyramid shows you the kinds and amounts of food that you need each day for good health. The Nutrition Facts Label will help you select foods that meet your daily nutritional needs."
And remember: aiming for a healthy and nutritional diet and regular exercise are the keys to success for life.
For more information, visit the ADA's Web site at http://www.eatright.org and the U.S. government's Web site at: http://www.niddk.nih.gov/health/nutrit/p...
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