This is one of those loaded questions. Which diet really works is the one that you can stay on for the rest of your life, and works for you. I know, that doesn't tell you much, does it.
Personally, I use calorie counting. I use fitday.com to log my food so I know exactly what I'm eating every day, and I exercise every day in some form or another. I try to eat lean protein, complex carbs, fruits, veggies, and my nightly skinny cow. That's it. All I pay is the price of my groceries.
Now there are a bunch of other threads on other plans that might be appropriate for you and your lifestyle, like sugarbusters, lo carb, etc. The thing is, you have to play around for a while and figure out what is going to be the best one FOR YOU for the rest of your life.
I know that's probably not what you wanted to hear, but there is no magic bullet or quick fix.
I agree completely!! It's all about what works for you and what you can live with. I know that there are some diets that have really worked for me in the past, but I didn't like them so I didn't make the lifestyle changes that I needed to make and the weight came back on.
Now, I'm also counting calories and working out at the Y every day. I know that I can count in calories for something sweet when I need it and still stay OP.
Figure out what will fit your lifestyle and what will work for you and what you will be able to live with.
Much as we all would like to have one, there is no quick fix that "works" for everyone.
"Diets," per se, don't work, but "lifestyle changes" tend to in the long run. There are many good posts on this forum by its members on some excellent, healthy plans. My best advice is to stay away from the "fad" plans, which can eventually damage both health and self-esteem--the exact opposite of what we are aiming for!
As for me, I am on a 1500 calorie plan recommended by the American Diabetes Association; I also have cut my fat intake to 35 grams or less a day. While we have been pounded on our skulls that fat is "bad," to a degree, we still need it to lubricate the skin and hair, and grow those lovely nails for the luxurious manicures we can get for a job well done!
Whatever you choose, make sure that plan is healthful as one you can also live with
i have done the 7 grams of fat a day diet - lost a ton of weight - gained it all back. then I did the cut my calories back to nothing diet - lost a lot of weight, but it was more muscle loss than anything AND i gained it all back. tried the grapefruit diet, but how much grapefruit can one person eat before they just don't want to see another piece of citrus fruit ever again. the only thing that works is changing your lifestyle. I have done that (i thought) several times but once i got to my goal, i reverted to old ways and then i was back up the scales again. find a eating/exercise plan that works for you, that you can live and be healthy on and affirm that this is a change for life and then stick with it. that is the best way to lose weight.
Good question. The medical field is unable to agree whether high fat/low carb or high carb/low fat diets are the most healthy to follow. They recently tried to figure it all out and came up with a few suggestions. The thing is, the suggestions have been around for many years written by The American Heart Assoc. I no longer attend WW but I like the Point system a a good Program. Starting over. Sandy 260/260/140
I've been following Sugar Busters for over two years now. For me it's been the best thing for over all good health and healthy eating. Along with a good diet I think exercise is very important. Two years ago walking 1/2 a mile to the mail box and back was killer. Now it's nothing to get in 3 to 6 miles a day.
I'm only 10 pounds from goal and can hardly wait.
Which ever plan you go with just remember it does take effort and life long changes. And don't give up....you'll get there..it's a journey.
Everyone is right about it being all about a lifestyle change. A 'diet' will fail everytime...it's permanent change that will help you not only lose but keep it off.
Start with small changes instead of drastic ones that seem hard to achieve. For example, if you normally order a large cheeseburger, large fries and drink....maybe start ordering a burger w/out the cheese and a side salad in place of the fries. What I did in that area was replace all of it with Subway instead...the sandwiches are very filling and satisfying without all that grease. If I do go to a fast food place, I order a grilled chicken sandwich and skip the fries. I dont make any one food offlimits tho...if I crave something for awhile and refuse to let myself have it EVER, I"ll end up eventually binging and regretting it. SO, occasionally I treat myself to whatever I really want. I mainly try to eat healthy and keep calories at 1500 or less during the week and then on the weekends, I allow myself one meal of anything I want regardless of nutritional value. On Monday morning, I am right back on track. I'm not an exercise finatic but my sister and I try to walk 2 miles each evening as much as possible. I've lost 38 lbs since the first week of November. Still want to lose at least 40 more.
I found what works!!!!
And unless you have a medical or genetic problem, I think it can work for anybody.
After a long time stuck on a plateau after losing 50 pounds and going from obese to a normal BMI, I wanted to lose the last bit of fat hanging around. I'd like to be in the low end of the normal range, but it is SO HARD after you've been fat a long time.
I tried Body for Life but it was just too vague, and I have pretty big fists. I like the approach though, so I tried something a bit similar: Body Rx by John Connelly and it's working WONDERS. I'm starting to get "cut" and this morning I shaved a whole 5 MINUTES off my 5 mile run. It's cheap too, but I would recommend buying the book and reading it carefully.
He says you don't really have to do the exercise program, but c'mon, we all know that that's the secret. Weight training, not aerobics. I ran 4 marathons and got fatter with each one. I still run, because I like to (and I like winning trophies), but now I emphasize weight training and that is SOOOOOOOO important for women over 40.
Yeah, it's tough. But if you really want results you have to WORK at it and stop whining. I'm getting rather tired of the 2 fat chicks and the whining - I'm so busy - I can't do this web site - I am sick of this diet - I am sick of eating all this meat. JEEEEZ. Only the body builders (who DO eat adequate carbs, but only CLEAN carbs as well as Omega 3 and 6 fats) seem to be happy with both their diets and their bodies. Extreme low fat / low carb is NOT the way to go in the long run. Your body just poops out.
I have lost 25 1/2 (digital scale) pounds by just eating between 1,200-1,600 calories a day and eating between 20-30 fat grams per day depending on how hungry I am or what is going on around me that day. I also keep a food journel to keep track of what I am eating and how much it all adds up to. I try to get the majority of my calories from fruits and veggies and allow myself some other type of low fat snack like cookies, icecream per day. I also keep a list of things I can have and as I find new things I can have I write it down so that next time I go shopping I just look on my list. I try to exercise at least 2-3 times a day by walking 1-2 miles, but be sure not to over due it because I want to make it a habit and not get tired of it. Anyone wanting to talk about dieting can message me or email me anytime.
Which Diet really works
This is one of those loaded questions. Which diet really works is the one that you can stay on for the rest of your life, and works for you. I know, that doesn't tell you much, does it. 
I know that's probably not what you wanted to hear, but there is no magic bullet or quick fix.
