Is the old-fashioned approach to weight loss the best? One doctor says that eschewing regular diets, many of which trick your body into conserving fat temporarily, is the best way to less you.

Kathy Sterling is a 29 year old woman from the USA. Just two years ago, Kathy weighed 136 kilograms and was experiencing health problems as a result.

When she actively began trying to lose weight, Kathy started with Weight Watchers but says after cutting out the worst parts of her diet - doughnuts and coke, which she replaced with healthier food, she found herself without a framework for what else to do differently.

Kathy ate, "whatever she wanted, whenever she wanted and how often she wanted".

She has now lost 60 kilograms and was recently featured in People Magazine... in a bikini!

It was part of a feature on people who'd lost 100 pounds.

[IMG2 L] The Doctor who lost 30kg
Dr Amanda Sainsbury-Salis is a scientist who specialises in diet research. In addition to her work for the Garvan Institute and authoring books on Women's Health, Amanda lost almost 30 kilograms by parctising what she preaches.

Amanda believes there are three simple steps to follow:

1. listen to your body.. that means you eat when you're hungry
2. eat most wholesome foods.. but don't deny yourself a treat, or a more substantial meal, if you really feel like it
3. exercise.. this can be as simple as taking the kids to the playground

Amanda says diets can actually make your body think there's a famine, so it will store fat and you won't lose weight. This is generally "the wall" many dieters hit when they find they can't lose any more kilos.

She says the number one motivator for losing weight is actually hearing how other people have been successful!

More info on Dr Amanda Salisbury-Salis