There's No Free Lunch

Many people try to "speed up" weight loss from an exercise program by also restricting calories.  Actually, in studies that compare exercise versus diet and exercise, the combination of the two usually shows more weight loss.  However, this is just for the short-term.  As discussed earlier, almost all weight lost through dieting eventually comes back, it just takes a long time (a year or two) for this to happen. 

Over the long haul, the only weight you can lose is that which you burn off through exercise.  In fact, in the study mentioned in the previous post, it is shown that you would need much more walking if you were trying to keep off weight previously lost from a diet.  In any case, it is better to just focus on eating sensibly and losing weight through exercise, rather than adding the yo-yo component that comes with dieting.  Weight loss through exercise, such as walking, isn't quick, but it is the true path to long-term success.