Holy smokes, who'd a thought? Sheesh. I've mentioned before I'm a member of the National Weight Control Registry, a group of about 5,000 people who've lost on average 73 pounds and kept off more than 30 pounds for six years. The actual criteria to join the registry is having lost at least 30 pounds and kept it off for one year. I lost 80 pounds over 17 years ago now, so I'm qualified. ;-)
Recent findings suggest that it doesn't matter what method you use to lose the weight, but keeping it off tends to be a combination of low fat and exercise. Suzanne Phelan, a Brown University Medical School psychologist who led the research stated that, "Only a minority of successful weight losers consume low-carbohydrate diets."
Registry participants who reported being on low carb diets also reported eating more fat, which prompted Colette Heimowitz a spokeswoman for the Atkins diet organization to say, "the carbs aren't low enough for them to be successful," and that they should have replaced carbs with more protein rather than more fat.
Meanwhile the battle rages on. Use what works for you. If you love carbs, then low carb is likely not the best choice. Instead try high complex carbs such as whole grains and brown rice with plenty of steamed and raw vegetables and fruits for snacks. On the other hand if nothing makes you happier than a juice piece of steak, perhaps low carb is a good way for you to go. Each of us must find the right balance that works best for ourselves, rather than listening to the diet gurus "diet-o-the-week."
