A new study, however, suggests that using specific strategies -- such as weighing yourself regularly and planning for situations in which you might backslide -- could modestly slow the rate of weight regain in obese adults who have lost weight.

In the study, employing such strategies in a maintenance program increased the proportion of adults who stayed at or lowered their weight, after initial weight loss, by 13.9 percentage points, said Corrine Voils, research career scientist at William S. Middleton Veterans Memorial Hospital in Madison, Wisconsin and lead author of the study.

"We went into this study unsure what to expect," said Voils, who is also a professor of surgery at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

"We knew that maintaining weight loss is hard and that previous maintenance studies have tended to focus on middle-aged white females. We were unsure if a mainly telephone-based program would work in a population that is primarily men and of mixed race," she said. "We were happy to see that our strategies reduced the rate of weight regain."

The new study involved 222 obese patients, of whom only 34 were women. All of the patients had lost at least 8.8 pounds in a 16-week weight loss program.

They were randomly assigned to participate in either an intervention group that provided weight maintenance strategies for an additional 42 weeks or a group that received usual medical care, with no emphasis on weight maintenance.

Those in the intervention group participated in three in-person group meetings and eight individual telephone calls, in which they were given a maintenance calorie budget and strategies on how to exercise, get support from their family and friends, and monitor their weight.

The phone calls also involved the patients reflecting on how their lives have improved as a result of weight loss, making a plan for situations when they might feel tempted to go back to old habits, and specifying how frequently they weigh themselves and revisit weight loss efforts if they have gained weight.

All participants, in both groups, were scheduled for assessment appointments at the beginning of the study and then after 14, 26, 42 and 56 weeks.

After 56 weeks, Voils said, 58.6% of patients in the intervention group either regained some weight or saw no change in weight, while 72.5% of patients in the other group regained or saw no change, a difference of 13.9 percentage points.

The average weight regain in the intervention group was only about 1.6 pounds, compared with about 5.2 pounds in the other group, the researchers found.

"Although this may not seem like a lot of weight, given the low program costs and the high benefit of carrying less weight over the longer term, this is an important finding that adds to our understanding about how best to help patients with obesity," said Dr. Jennifer Kraschnewski, associate professor at the Penn State College of Medicine, who was not involved in the new study.

"Obesity is now recognized as a chronic disease. However, we still don't treat it this way in the clinical setting. Clinically, we typically help patients engage in weight loss efforts, stand back and watch as they regain, and then try to re-engage them in additional weight loss efforts," she said. "We wouldn't treat someone's high blood pressure with a medication for only a year and then scratch our heads as to why their blood pressure is high again two years later. For obesity to be treated as a chronic disease, new approaches to management are critical."

Yet, the new study had some limitations.

It remains unclear in the study whether regular weighing, planning for high-risk situations or obtaining outside support was most effective in weight loss management, Voils said.

"Our study design did not allow us to say which component of our intervention was most effective," Voils said.

"There is evidence that self-weighing and relapse prevention help people maintain weight loss. Our intervention incorporates those skills and adds having patients reflect on the benefits they experienced with weight loss and talking with a support person about what they can do to support weight maintenance efforts," she said.

Though it remains difficult to establish which part of the intervention had the most impact on patients, having constant interaction with a supportive coach probably played a significant role in weight maintenance, said Dr. Samuel Grief, associate professor of clinical family medicine at the University of Illinois College of Medicine at Chicago, who was not involved in the study.

"Group dynamics tend to be more helpful, or a team-based approach using care coordination," Grief said.

"That would be my answer. Because strategies like food journaling or diaries or writing out what activities you do every day or emotions that you're feeling, all that is relevant, but there's not a lot of science behind those causing weight loss or mitigation of weight regain. Otherwise, everybody would do it," he said. "Also, it would have been helpful to gauge their self-efficacy."

Additionally, the researchers were unable to assess longer-term weight maintenance and relied on self-reports about dietary intake and physical activity.

"Our population was primarily middle-aged men who were white or African-American, and results may not generalize to other populations," Voils said.

Rena Wing, a professor at Brown University's Warren Alpert Medical School, and James Hill, director of the Center for Human Nutrition at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, established the registry in 1994.

"To maintain weight loss, there must be continued adherence to a low-calorie diet and high physical activity," Wing said.

She said the registry suggests that the following strategies may help someone who is trying to maintain their weight loss:

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New study suggests strategies for keeping off pounds - CNN

It can feel daunting to start a weight loss or exercise plan, but it doesn't have to be. Making just a few changes can make a big difference, as can pacing yourself. Starting out with a few new habits and setting realistic goals will stick with you better in the long run than fad diets or extreme exercise plans. So go ahead, ease into it for lasting change.

Start by reviewing your habits in three areas: drinks, food and activity. Pick one area to focus on first, and start with the one that feels most doable.

Consider what you are drinking. Cutting out sodas and other high sugar drinks, like juice, energy drinks and loaded coffees can make a big impact. For example, a large (16 oz.) flavored latte with 2% milk has 35 grams of sugar and 250 calories and a can of regular soda has about 150 calories.

"If you change only one habit for your health, start by replacing caloric drinks with water, including soda, juice and alcoholic beverages. People don't realize how many calories are in a simple drink and how cutting way back will help them maintain a healthy weight," said Dr. Rick Ray with the Prowers Medical Center Clinic.

While the average woman needs 1600 - 2000 calories and the average man needs 2200 - 2800, you can imagine that drinking even just two sugary drinks a day could by itself equal at least a few extra pounds every month. It takes just 3500 extra calories to put on one pound.

Replace high calorie drinks with water or sparkling water with a splash of juice to add flavor. Check labels on drinks to make sure your favorite products are not loaded with sugar, as sugar equals calories, and empty ones at that.

Next up, change one or two eating habits. Maybe you simply replace lard with olive oil when cooking, or give up fried foods, or pack lunches for work rather than relying on fast food. Or, select new foods at the grocery store.

"Choose whole foods rather than processed, especially avoid those high in trans-fats, partially hydrogenated fats and corn syrup, and eat at least five servings of fruit and vegetables a day, both raw and cooked. Foods high in fiber, including whole grains, fruits and vegetables, slow absorption, reduce hunger, and improve digestion," said Dr. Margaret Loewen with Prowers Medical Center Clinic.

Lastly, start a new activity habit, something you can do every day. Now that the days are getting longer, consider committing to a walk every day before dinner. Set a realistic goal to start. If you are not used to walking, set a goal of walking around the block two times, then after a week or two, increase that to 4 times, then a mile, then two miles after a few months. To keep you motivated, set the goal with a buddy or consider getting a speedometer that tracks your daily exercise and gives you a conscious goal to work towards, like 10,000 steps, every day.

"Walking is the single best exercise out there and it doesn't demand spending a lot of money on special equipment. Plus, it's something you can do alone and do anywhere," Ray said.

Remember, exercising is great for overall health but by itself it's typically not enough to lose weight. Think of it as a way to maintain weight and improve your health, overall.

"The more we learn about exercise, nutrition and chronic diseases, the more we realize how huge an impact healthy choices can make," Loewen concluded.

If you need help getting started, visit with a provider at Prowers Medical Center Clinic by calling (719) 336-6767. Besides its regular hours, the clinic has convenient evening, same-day appointments until 7:00 pm Mon - Thurs, and walk-in appointments 7:00 am - 8:30 am Mon - Fri, and Sat from 8:00 am to Noon.

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Small Steps Mean Lasting Change for Weight Loss - Lamar Ledger

These days, Fitbits and Jawbones adorn arms the way watches once did.

And for good reason: Wearable technology can log the steps you take in a day, track heart rate during workouts and help you get better sleep.

All of these positive lifestyle changes may cause people to assume that the devices will also help them lose weight. Thats a reasonable assumption, but there is actuallyvery little evidence that fitness trackers, alone, will lead to weight loss.

Many new technologies, and dietary supplements and new diets, are sold to the public with little actual research behind them. Wearable technology to encourage fitness is no different, Aaron E. Carroll recently wrote in The New York Times, pointing to a study first reported on last year.

In fact,fitness tracker usersloseless weight than people who track their activity manually through a website, according to a two-year weight loss study of nearly 500 overweight or obese adults.

The study, conducted at the University of Pittsburgh and published in JAMA in 2016, found that participants who relied on a fitness tracker to monitor weight loss actually lost, on average,more than 5 pounds lessthan similar participants who tracked their activity through a website.

Its important to note that the study only looked at people who were participating in a weight loss program that included a host of resources, including a low-calorie diet plan, physical activity goals and both group and individual counseling. And while one group lost more weight than the other, both groups lost weight and improved physical fitness.

The study underscores the idea that tackling the tough business of weight loss may require a multi-pronged approach and slapping a wearable on your wrist will only help if youve committed to a lifestyle overhaul.

But that doesnt mean your Jawbone or Fitbit is useless: Apart from weight loss, a wearable device might just make you happier: The built-in alarms nudging you to stand up, take a break and walk more steps can be part of a healthier lifestyle. And research shows that just going for a walk can increase your happinessalmost immediately.

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Don't Rely On Your Fitness Tracker To Lose Weight - Huffington Post

Adele and model Chrissy Teigen pose at the Grammy Awards. The singer says she never wanted to be a Size 0. She wants to maintain her weight at a healthy size 10 to 14. (Photo by Christopher Polk/Getty Images)

Adele was not only amazing for winning five awards at the Grammys, the British singer also marked another, less noticed achievement. Shes maintained her svelte figure follow a dramatic weight loss, defying the odds most dieters face when they lose weight.

The sad fact is, 65 percent of people who lose weight regain it and usually add a few pounds within a few months or years, according to health experts and dietitians.

In the United States, obesity has reached epidemic proportions, according to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Among people 20-years-old or older, 68 percent are either obese or overweight.

At the same time, as many as 45 million Americans say they are dieting at any given moment. And most of those are whats known as rebounders.

Gary Foster, Ph.D., clinical director of the Weight and Eating Disorders Program at the University of Pennsylvania, says nearly 65 percent of dieters return to their pre-dieting weight within three years.

Adeles weight loss secret is the Sirt Food Diet, which can help you lose 7 pounds in 7 days. (Photos: Instagram, Celebrity Health Fitness)

Those who go on crash diets fare even worse. Only 5 percent of people who lose weight on a crash diet will keep the weight off, according to Wellsphere, a health and fitness Web site sponsored by Stanford University.

Yet, Adele has proved to be an exception to the rule.

Celebrity Health & Fitness first began chronicling Adeles struggle with her weight nearly two years ago. The singer, real name Adele Adkins, kept a low profile following the birth of son Angelo in 2012.

Before then she had been steadily trying to lose weight, and had showed some improvement. But for the most part shed been yo-yoing like most dieters.

But when Adele released the music video for Hello, a track from her highly anticipated third album, 25, she looked sensational.

Turning 25 was a turning point for me, slap bang in the middle of my twenties, Adkins wrote at the time on Facebook.

Teetering on the edge of being an old adolescent and a fully-fledged adult, I made the decision to go into becoming who Im going to be forever without a removal van full of my old junk. My last record was a break-up record and if I had to label this one I would call it a make-up record.

She dramatically lost weight following her pregnancy. The secret to keeping it off has been a vegetarian diet and running workouts.

The weight loss and health benefits of vegan and vegetarian diets are no surprise to Dr. David Katz, director of Yale Universitys Prevention Research Center.

A diet of minimally processed foods close to nature predominantly plants is decisively associated with health promotion and disease prevention, said Katz, in his book Disease-Proof.

Adele celebrates after winning one of the five Grammys awards she collected at the annual music event. (Photo by Christopher Polk/Getty Images)

Two years later, Adele still has a show-stopping figure. Shes cut back on sugar, given up smoking and still exercising regularly.

Im not, like, skipping to the fucking gym. I dont enjoy it. I do like doing weights, she told Rolling Stone.

She follows the advice of her trainer, Pete Geracimo.

We all live hectic busy lives. There are not enough hours in the day to get everything done. We need to find that balance where we take care of our responsibilities to our work, family and friends. We also need to make more of a conscious effort to take care of ourselves. he told healthista, a London fitness Web site.

The most reliable type of exercise, for me, would be body weight training. You do not need to go to the gym to do it, no equipment required and your body weight provides more than enough resistance to get in a great workout. It leaves no room for any excuses not to train, he adds.

He recommends body squats, lunges, push-ups, pull-ups, dips, chin-ups and plank work for a great overall workout.

Weight training is important because it causes muscle tissue to break down. The body continues to burn fat well after exercising is over because the energy is needed to rebuild muscles.

Importantly, Geracimo says you dont have to go to the gym to stay fit.

Try walking or cycling instead of using the car or bus. Take the stairs instead of the lifts. Go for walks or a run instead of sitting on the sofa watching TV. The secret is to move yourself and not let something or someone move for you, he says.

As for diets, he recommends whats known as the Sirtfood Diet. Its based on foods high in the protein sirtuin.

Surprisingly, it includes apples, citrus fruits, parsley, capers, blueberries, green tea, soy, strawberries, tumeric, olive oil, red onion, kale and even more surprisingly, red wine.

Studies suggest that free radicals [toxic molecules that form in the body] contribute to aging, Dr. Neal Barnard writes in his book, the 21-Day Weight Loss Kickstart.

A vegan diet, rich in fruits and vegetables, is full of antioxidants which help protect the body from damage by free radicals, he says.

Nutritionists Glen Matten and Aidan Goggins, who wrote the book The Sirtfood Diet,assert that the diet turns on your bodys skinny gene.

By eating specific foods that can activate your metabolism-boosting SIRT1 gene, you can utilize your diet to help burn off excess fat and lose weight, they write.

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Adele Defies Odds, Maintains 'Live Saving' Weight Loss; Here's How She Does It - Celebrity Health & Fitness (blog)

All those who scoffed at Mama June's weight loss claims can shut their mouths, says the ex-star of "Here Comes Honey Boo Boo." The Georgia mom promises she's "the sh*t" after a massive makeover, including weight loss surgery. What's the reality television star's secret? All will be revealed on her new show "Mama June: From Not to Hot" airing Feb. 24 on WEtv.

Mama June Shannon set the internet on fire with teasers of a major "From Not to Hot" transformation after what she calls "weight loss surgery." Some wondered if she meant traditional bariatric surgery or plastic surgery. And the answer is yes and yes. In early episodes of "Honey Boo Boo", June weighed nearly 400 pounds. She told RadarOnline that she lost weight after having a sleeve-type gastric bypass procedure Then the 37-year-old had excess skin excised in what is called skin removal surgery.

Well, sort of. The mother of four had requested a tummy tuck on "Botched" under the misapprehension that it came with a C-section. She believed her C-section was botched when doctors didn't perform this procedure after she had her last child Honey Boo Boo. Shocked "Botched" doctors disabused her of this idea and further frustrated Shannon by denying the treatment. They said her obesity made it impossible to do safely. But, after gastric bypass surgery and weight loss June qualified for skin removal.

Over the past few years, Shannon has boasted 100-150 pound weight loss. But most people said they could see no difference. June was hurt by that and says she'll prove she's gone "From Not to Hot." Along with weight loss surgery, the reality television star has undergone rigorous diet and exercise with a personal trainer. The gastric bypass enabled her to curb her junk food addiction. And like TLC bariatric patients on "My 600-lb Life" she was able to get saggy skin trimmed up. Trailers show everyone's amazement at Mama June's transformation. Even daughter "Honey Boo Boo" Alana Thompson was awestruck after she glibly predicted her mother might bleed out on the operating table. Is Mama June really a size 4 and smaller than Kim Kardashian? Tune in to WEtv to see if this makeover is as jaw-dropping as it's supposed to be.

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Mama June reveals weight loss secrets: How 'Honey Boo Boo' star beat obesity - Blasting News

WESTON, WV--(Marketwired - February 20, 2017) - Considering the rising rates of obesity and widespread availability of diets and weight loss programs, dieters have a lot to choose from. Not all weight loss programs are made equal, however, and sometimes, losing weight fast is not worth the health consequences involved. The hCG diet has, historically, been controversial because it was initially presented as the Simeons diet, which involved combining low doses of hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin), a hormone produced during pregnancy, with extremely low caloric intake to promote rapid weight loss by burning "abnormal" fat, located in cells and around internal organs. The Simeons diet, also known as the original hCG diet, is dangerous because it is essentially a starvation diet that caps daily consumption to 500 calories. It leads to harmful side effects like weakness, muscle loss, and hair loss.

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About the Company:

Diet Doc Weight Loss is the nation's leader in medical, weight loss offering a full line of prescription medication, doctor, nurse and nutritional coaching support. For over a decade, Diet Doc has produced a sophisticated, doctor designed weight loss program that addresses each individual specific health need to promote fast, safe and long term weight loss.

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Diet Doc Helps Patients Lose Weight Fast With hCG Diet Without Any Harmful Starvation Diet Practices - Marketwired (press release)