It has always been about diet and exercise. All the studies in the world and all the pills in China will not change the fact that if you eat right and exercise every day you will have a good life.
Amen. Both of which few want to actually do (including myself) hence the drive to find a shortcut.
However, since menopause hit and all the attendant symptoms including weight gain, I decided F this. It took three or so months but dropped about 23 pounds with ... wait for it ... diet and exercise ... now at 133 lbs. and into my high school Levi 501s.
Was it a pain in the nads? Yes. But I wanted the size 6 more than I wanted the very transitory bliss of eating something I shouldn't.