>Thing is, we have about half a century of consistent clinical findings saying, without exception, no diet-based approach shows long term weight reduction. The most successful have zero effects by 5-10 years out.

Does "diet" mean counting calories and eating less than you want to eat?

I ask because another approach, as in Susan Robinson's book The I Diet, is to eat as much as you want but just make sure it is foods that are moderately low in calories. In particular, avoid refined carbohydrates, potatoes, and fatty foods.

I have been following this approach for 5 years. I lost 50 pounds, I have no will power when it comes to food, but the pounds have stayed off.