Adherence

For short-term weight loss (first 6 months), dietary adherence and diet quality are primary drivers, whereas caloric restriction alone is a weaker predictor of success.

To lose weight quickly, focus on sticking to your chosen diet's rules (e.g., cutting carbs or fats) and eating high-quality foods, rather than obsessively counting calories. Adherence to the diet type predicts success better than the sheer number of calories cut.