Losing Pounds for Life

There's a right way to burn fat, and dieting alone just doesn't cut it. Though dieting may help shed a few short-term pounds, real success calls for responsible nutrition and exercise, says Chad Tackett in Diets Alone Don't Work.

Fad diets promise fast results, but they rarely deliver in the long run. When you restrict calorie intake, your body actually becomes more efficient at storing fat by slowing down your metabolism. After you've lost the pounds, your metabolism remains slow, and the pounds pile on even faster.

The trick is to eat smaller portions of the right foods. Avoid animal fats in dairy and meats, and opt for low-fat proteins and complex carbohydrates. Poultry, soy, vegetables and whole grains are good foods to add to your program, Tackett says.

There's no easy way to lose weight, but exercising will increase your metabolism and muscle mass, speeding up your calorie consumption. That doesn't mean you have to start weight training. Find an activity you enjoy, and do it regularly.

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Social or solitary, high tech or low budget, the Workout Wizard can find an exercise program that will work for just about any personality.