UK Researchers are finding the same thing that I have believed for a while; eating less is not always the best way to lose weight. Their research studied obese women and the effects on their physiology, self-esteem, and weight after beginning a fitness program rather than trying to limit the number of calories that they consume. Not all of the women lost weight. Some even gained a little weight. However, they were all much happier and much healthier people, whether they lost weight or not.
Women who took part in the scheme lost a small amount of weight from a average 17st (108.4kg) to an average 16st 7lbs (104.6kg) after the first three months whereas women in the control group put on an average of 7lbs (3kg). But, despite only a small amount of weight loss, the women in the programme ended up significantly fitter. Blood pressure, heart rate and cholesterol fell and respiratory fitness increased. Women also felt better in terms of general well-being, body image, self-perception and stress.
A significant part of the study did involve teaching the women how to cook healthy meals and how to moderate what they ate, but they were not limited to the types of food available to them.
I believe that a well balanced diet (not dieting) and exercise are key to living a long, healthy, and happy life. When you restrict the number of calories that you eat, you are more likely going to force your body to store extra fat no matter how much you work out. Your body is programmed to recognize a famine and to do everything that it can to weather the lack of food. This usually means losing metabolically-expensive muscle and storing fat which can be used to keep you alive longer.
(Source: BBC.com)
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