Most weight loss diets are actually maintenance programs, because the element of freely feeding takes your calories to stupid, so inspite of the deprivation, you don’t lose any weight. I always strongly recommend very low carbohydrate diets, because you’ll be less hungry and have far fewer cravings. But you can lose weight on any diet you want to go on, if you keep the calories under 1500 for a low carbohydrate diet, and under 1000 for a normal carbohydrate intake diet. You can lose weight on Nutrisytem or Weight Watchers or Paleo or Lean Cuisine or Healthy Choice – just limit your calories to around 1000 a day. If you want to go on Atkins or Dukan, that’s fine – just limit your calories to 1500 a day. It’s not rocket science, but it works. There’s no other way.