Are you in on the big secret about what it really takes to achieve dieting success? A study published by the New England Journal of Medicine shows what many of us that have successfully shed the excess weight have known all along: When it comes to dieting, what really counts is portion size and calorie control.

Yes, this is “basic news” that might seem to fit in with “The Sky is Blue” and “Dogs Bark.” But given all of the “no carb,” “low fat” and “low protein” so-called diet solutions out there, this study reminds us that there are no tricks to dieting, just common sense. In fact, after this particular study, researchers concluded that the best diet is a healthy one that cuts calories, not food groups.

The Comparison of Weight-Loss Diets with Different Compositions of Fat, Protein, and Carbohydrates Study’s conclusions are the result of one of the longest, largest and most thorough tests of several popular dieting strategies ever.

Given that in recent years another well-regarded study found the same results to be true, doctors and nutritionists are now embracing the idea of dieting in a “Back to basics” way: Cutting calories – not certain foods or food groups, which means cutting portions.

The study included over 800 people that were determined to be in need of losing weight. These “dieters” were each assigned one of four different diets:

• Low-fat, average-protein
• Low-fat, high-protein
• High-fat, average-protein
• High-fat, high-protein

These diets included calorie counts of 1,200 to 2,400 daily, depending on the individual dieter’s body mass index and gender. Along with “cutting back,” the dieters in the study were also asked to do 90 minutes of moderate exercise each week. Participants were also asked to keep a diary of their food intake and enter their information online for the researchers to document.

Of course, this is all good news for savvy dieters like ourselves who are learning that there are no tricks to weight loss… Just common sense:

• Eat less
• Workout more
• Drink water
• Get plenty of rest
• And include visits to your personal physician to ensure all aspects of our life changes are healthy ones

Now that we know that ‘less is more’ (and that the sky is blue and dogs bark), let’s put this common sense knowledge to work for our weight loss and/or weight maintenance goals, shall we? And if you have any “Common sense” tips that you’d like to add to the mix, please share!

For more about the above mentioned study: Click Here