Key to keeping off lost weight discovered

LAS VEGAS, Nov. 17 (UPI) -- Colorado researchers say people who have lost weight -- and keep it off -- limit their daily calories to about 1,800 and walk about 4 miles a day.

The findings, presented this week at a Las Vegas conference, come from a study of newer members of the National Weight Control Registry, a group of about 5,000 people who lost an average of 73 pounds and kept off at least 30 pounds for more than six years, said James Hill of the University of Colorado.

Researchers have found that registry members dropped their extra pounds in different ways, but generally they keep the weight off by exercising regularly, consuming a relatively low-calorie and low-fat diet, weighing themselves regularly, having breakfast daily, eating in a consistent way and keeping track of what they eat.

The study suggests that while weight-loss techniques and programs vary widely, the key to maintaining a healthy weight is not nearly so diverse. It is a matter of limiting daily caloric intake to 1,800 and walking about 4 miles or enough to burn nearly 400 calories per day in exercise.