Gets my vote, but then again I only drink Coke Zero.

Diet coke with lemon zest (or some such similar name) is good. It's only in the shops episodically, at least here.

I don't mind having a Diet Coke or Coke Zero on its own if I'm thirsty, but for some reason having either as mix with whiskey or rum just tastes gross to me. I can't do it... I'd much prefer to just drink the booze on the rocks instead of with a diet drink.

This.

Or just have your evening drink 5 nights a week instead of 7.

Re the treadmill.

A lot of recent work shows that exercise has much less effect on weight reduction than "people" think. You need to compare the calorie burn rate against normal day time (not 24 hour average as sleeping metabolic rates are much lower than waking rates) and also understand that research also shows that metabolic rates sink lower than normal daytime rates for several hours after exercise has stopped particularly whilst people rest and recover. It is a normal reaction to the higher burn during exercise. Hence the conclusion that whilst exercise is obviously beneficial for other reasons it doesn't really help with weight loss.

The only answer is I'm afraid calorie intake reduction and that means alcohol and portion control and drinking diet drinks.

I completely agree with you. Especially with childhood obesity I'm shocked at how many people (not necessarily on this forum) think the answer is to put P.E. back into the schools. While exercise is certainly a part of a healthy life, I have no illusions that it will help me lose significant weight. Most people just can't (or won't) put in the time (via exercise) it would take to lose weight. I have to walk and hour a day, just to burn off the Jack & Cokes.

That is never going to get me anywhere. It really comes down to eating less.

It's sad to read of the PE pressures you mention because I suspect that fat kids who comfort eat will probably treat themselves to more comfort eating after enforced exercise ensuring even more weight gain?

Teaching kids about eating is much more important than an hour or two of PE each week.

About time we had some apps .... that took a picture of a kid and told them where they are heading .....

I used to have at least a couple cans of regular Coke each day. Did the calorie math and figured the easiest way to shave off some calories was to switch to Coke Zero. To me, Diet Coke tastes horrible and nothing like regular but Coke Zero tastes very similar to regular. It even works well with Jack which is my go-to cocktail.

Now 20 years from now when they link Alzheimers to some chemical in Coke Zero, I'll be screwed.

It's ok to have a guilty pleasure, stick with the regular Coke if that's what you like with your drink. Even my dietician told me not to cut out the "bad foods" I like, just moderate the serving.

Everyone I know, including me, thinks Coke Zero tasted better than Diet Zero. This include people who normally drink regular Coke. I think I read that Diet Coke is the diet version of the New Coke, and Coke Zero is the diet version of the Classic Coke. In fact I am drinking a Coke Zero right now as I am typing this. After drinking Coke Zero for years, when I try a regular Coke, I feel like it is way too sweet. I just wish more food places would carry Coke Zero instead of just Diet Coke.

em, I love Coke Zero!!

I have to be honest - I can't taste the difference between Diet Coke and Coke Zero. I've always assumed the latter was just the former, only marketed to men instead of women.

It's not just calories in and worked off; the body wants to establish a set-point or plateau, maybe it feels safer that way. The base metabolic rate shifts down at first as caloric intake decreases. AFAIK the best way to get through and around that is lots of exercise.

I lost 15 lbs over a period of 6 months by 1) educing overall calories by maybe 15%, eating more complex carbs (veggies and a little more fruit) and less starchy stuff (bread, potatoes) and 2) starting a half-marathon program. First half is set for end Sept., 7 months after starting training at the barely-could-run-two-miles level. But now I'm on a weight plateau and can't seem to drop much more, other than through sweat, and keep it off. It doesn't worry me much, and I definitely don't look like a lean marathon runner type. Goal weight is another 10 -12 below, trying to get there in another 6 - 8 months.

Along the way -- not more than 1/2 serving of Coke or Pepsi products every week or two with my indulgence of a Five Guys burger. I split the soda with my spouse; there's something wonderful about the combo of HF corn syrup, cola flavoring, and a good burger. But once done with the burgers its hard for us to finish the whole soda.

Two years ago we stopped bringing cans or bottles of sweet soda home and got a Soda Stream instead. Now we can mix whatever with inexpensive sparkling water, like Jack & soda. Mostly though its 1/3 fruit juice and 2/3 soda. We've stayed away from the sweetened substitute mixes offered by Soda Stream and others.

Years ago (as in 30 or so) I participated in a test panel for diet Coke or Pepsi with Aspartame. The testers were surprised when I identified the diet slop 100% of the time -- it tastes terrible and metallic to me, too.

The thing I learned about "eating" was that you can eat what you want food-choice wise every day if you want ... it is obviously the quantity that is important.

For example, I discovered that it is the first few chips (fries) you really enjoy and if you can simply stop after a few then you can eat them every day. The second half of the portion doesn't give as much pleasure as the first half - well to me that is! Same with all high calorific items. I guess it's obvious really. The only thing I do not have self disciplain with is wine.

Lot's of interesting reading on how exercise effects most people's weight loss very little .....eg Exercise: The News You Don't Want to Hear - Dr. Jonny Bowden

"It's horribly difficult to seriously change the way you look through exercise alone."

I think the last word of that quote from the article is key. You can't exercise your way around gluttony. You can, however, increase your caloric intake without gaining weight, with the right amount of exercise.

For me, if I want a steak dinner, it's 40 minutes on the elliptical and a walk to "earn" it.

And I know what you mean about the wine....