Gimmicks don't work, because the plain, simple, boring fact is that you lose when you consume fewer calories than you burn.
What has worked for me is Weight Watchers. Dull and the opposite of trendy, but it's worked for me -- for nearly 2 years! :)
"What has worked for me is Weight Watchers. Dull and the opposite of trendy, but it's worked for me -- for nearly 2 years! :)"
Lucky you! I return to Weight Watchers every year (much like the swallows returning to Capistrano". All I lose is money.
I was never heavy, but I did go on Weight Watchers to hit an "ideal weight." It worked wonders, very quickly. It is just plain, smart eating.
The problem with the "low-carb" diets is the faddy processed foods themselves -- people load themselves up with the "low carb" cookies, chips, crackers, and ice creams thinking they are doing themselves favors. An unadulterated Atkins probably works reasonably well for at least an initial weight-loss kick -- simply because these kinds of junk foods are out.
Actually, it's not that simple. Atkin's/South Beach/Low GI diets aren't exactly gimmicks, and they work. Color TV and GUI operating systems were also trendy.
I'm on Weight Watchers again, myself. I did it two years ago and lost thirty pounds in six months. Of course I fell off the wagon and gradually put it all back on... But the accountability is what helps me the most...