When it comes to weight loss, there are countless options out there for slimmers - although not all of them are safe and sustainable.
Many turn to fad diets that promise fast results but pile the weight back on when they revert to their old eating habits.
Keeping things simple is often the most effective way to see results. Maintaining a calorie deficit (also known as an energy deficit) is widely hailed as the most straightforward way to lose weight.
As defined by Lloyds Pharmacy Online Doctor, "a calorie deficit is when you consume fewer calories through food and drinks than your body uses in daily activities and bodily functions".
The slimmer credited her major transformation to following a calorie deficit
TikTok / @mrslhome
"In simple terms, it means you're burning more calories than you're taking in," the experts added.
A woman who lost just over 3st in less than a year revealed that sticking to a calorie deficit helped her see major results.
The slimmer (who goes by @mrslhome on TikTok) wowed social media users with her achievement.
One user praised her "amazing transformation", commenting that her before and after photos "look like two different people". Another described her transformation as "incredible".
An article entitled 'Optimal Diet Strategies for Weight Loss and Weight Loss Maintenance', published in the National Library of Medicine, confirmed that "an energy deficit is the most important factor in weight loss".
Experts said: "Reducing daily calorie intake is the most important factor for weight loss.
"Low-calorie recipes, especially those for low-fat or low-carbohydrate diets, have been suggested as the first dietary strategy, although in some cases, a very-low-calorie diet (VLCD) is required for a short period."
However, it must be noted that a VLCD (less than 800 calories per day) "is not recommended for routine weight management".
Indeed, "it should only be used in limited circumstances along with medical monitoring according to obesity guidelines".
Better Health (NHS) provides important information on counting calories for weight loss results.
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Being in a calorie deficit means 'burning more calories than you're taking in'
TikTok / @mrslhome
The recommended daily calorie intake for the average person is 2,500 for men and 2,000 for women.
Experts said: "When trying to lose weight, the average person should aim to reduce their daily calorie intake by about 600 calories." For men, this means 1,900 calories. For women, this means 1,400 calories.
Expert-approved ways to keep track of calories include checking the labels on shop-bought foods, weighing portions and keeping a food diary.
Maintaining an active lifestyle is another way to make weight loss progress. In another TikTok video, @mrslhome revealed that she also took up running and going to the gym.
One doctor spoke exclusively to GB News about how slimmers can burn fat more efficiently by changing the way they exercise.
