First and foremost, losing weight is simply a fact of burning more calories than you consume. It's not rocket science--it's common sense.

Secondly, the amount of calories consumed during exercise is minimal at best, and because the person doing the exercise feels they have expended a huge number of calories, they tend to overeat to compensate for this.

Finally, lowering and maintaining a healthy weight usually requires a lifestyle change, which most folks are not willing to do. The South Beach Diet is a structured program that, if properly followed, will bring about rapid weight loss. And, if you follow the program religiously, including the phase three segment, you will keep those shedded pounds off for life.

Exercise will make you healthier by increasing muscle mass, increase stamina, improve lung and heart function and improve brain function--these are proven facts.

The reason I, and many other forum members, recommend the South Beach Diet is because IT WORKS. Three years ago I lost 55 pounds in just 5 months using this program, and although I've gained back 15 pounds during the past three years, it was because I was dumb enough to get sick and end up on Prednisone for an extended period of time. DNJ lost more than 100 pounds in less than a year, and a host of others reported similar weight losses, of which the vast majority have kept those pounds off.

The secret to success with any diet is to follow the program exactly as spelled out. If you deviate from the structured weight-loss program you will not lose those pounds. If you revert to your old eating habits that caused the weight gain initially you will regain the lost weight and continue to gain.

Good luck Chas, I'm confident you can do this.

Gary