Research
Adherence
Successful long-term weight loss maintenance is associated with high physical activity levels (≥2300 kcal/week) and low fast food consumption, regardless of shifts in macronutrient composition (increased fat, decreased carbohydrate).
Focus on moving enough to burn ~2300 kcal per week (roughly 60 mins of moderate activity daily) and minimizing fast food. Don't obsess over whether your diet is low-carb or low-fat; successful maintainers use various macronutrient profiles, but they all share high activity and limited fast food intake.
GoodSupportsHIGH confidence
Despite changes in the diet over time, the variables associated with long-term maintenance of weight loss were the same: continued consumption of a low-calorie diet with moderate fat intake, limited fast food, and high levels of physical activity.
Why this rating
Large observational cohort (N=2708) with prospective 1-year follow-up and regression analysis controlling for confounders.
Source
Are the Eating and Exercise Habits of Successful Weight Losers Changing?
Suzanne Phelan et al. · Obesity · 2006
cohort · n=2708Cited 116×
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