Avoiding relentless dieting might be the secret to effective, sustainable weight loss, according to recent research from the University of Tasmania. The study reveals that incorporating two-week breaks from dieting can lead to greater overall weight reduction.
In this rigorous trial, participants followed a 16-week low-calorie diet cutting intake by one-third. One group dieted continuously for 16 weeks, while the other followed an intermittent approach: two weeks dieting, two weeks eating normally to stabilize weight, repeating the cycle over 30 weeks for a total of 16 dieting weeks. The intermittent group not only shed more weight during the study but also regained less afterward. Six months post-trial, they maintained an average 8 kg greater weight loss compared to the continuous dieters.
