Updated: 9:43 a.m. ET Sept 28, 2007
Good news for anyone who hates number crunching: You don’t need to add or subtract a thing to get slim. “Instead, focus on food quality, portion size and the timing of your meals,” says Ann Yelmokas McDermott, Ph.D., director at the Center for Obesity Prevention and Education at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. If you obsess over calories, you’re more likely to consume fat-free foods that are low in fiber, high in sugar and, ultimately, unsatisfying. The result? You never feel full, so you end up eating more. Instead…

Pile on produce. Have at least one fruit and veggie at every meal (or two fruits at breakfast, if that’s easier). They’re high in fiber, which helps delay hunger. Aim for nine servings daily; with a salad at lunch or dinner, you’ll easily hit your goal.

Eat bigger snacks. Add protein (a stick of lowfat string cheese, a cup of skim milk) to your usual nosh. Research suggests protein may enhance the effect of leptin, a hormone that reins in appetite. Protein is also filling and can help curb cravings for extra handfuls of fatty snacks. (See “Healthy Eating Made Simple,” for other nutritious foods to stock.)

Thanks..been trying that for the last 4 days and already seeing a little weight loss..gonna stick it out..skim milk..2 glasses a day will help your skin from sagging but you also have to do some sort of exercise..even if it is just walking!

It's all about moderation and sensible choices.

The only diet that actually works is very simple

eat less exercise more.

actually, we could calculate that if we get off our arses and did something our arses will get smaller. there is some math there somewhere.

Ever notice that in all those Diet Pill commercials, the announcer says, usually in a lower voice, "Must be used IN ADDITION to a healthy diet and exercise".

Well, last year, I used two of the three (healthy diet and exercise) and managed to lose 60 lbs in one year.

Can't join a gym? I didn't. My exercise? Walking(4-5 miles, 5 times a week) and basic workouts(push-ups, sit-ups, ect.).

If I can do it, just about anyone can .

eat when you're really hungry

stay ye active.

Actually, ak0,it's better to eat several smaller meals during the course of a day. Waiting till you're really hungry usually causes overeating. Moderation and portion control are the two most important elements of a good diet.