The National Weight Control Registry at http://www.nwcr.ws keeps track
of successful losers (who don't rebound) and what those people have in
common.

(By the by, I wonder why a U.S.-based "national" registry uses a
Western Samoa top-level domain.)

Anyway, they report:

"There is variety in how NWCR members keep the weight off. Most
report continuing to maintain a low calorie, low fat diet and
doing high levels of activity."

Makes sense.

They also say:

"45% of registry participants lost the weight on their own and
the other 55% lost weight with the help of some type of program."

I wonder what the success rate of different programs are.

doug