UAB's (University of Alabama at Birmingham) EatRight Weight Management System believes in this weight loss mantra: reduce calories and increase exercise.

Now, their new research suggests that those who have been successful at losing weight, reducing calories is an effective way to maintain the weight, especially when it is difficult to find time to exercise.

Implicating that reducing the calories (keeping a low energy density diet) plays a greater role than exercise in maintaining the lower weight already achieved.

According to Jamy Ard, M.D., assistant professor of nutrition sciences and medical director of EatRight Weight Management Services:

"Our results show that individuals who successfully maintain body weight after completing EatRight consume fewer calories and have a lower energy density dietary pattern than those who do not maintain body weight.

This calorie control led to successful weight maintenance despite the fact that these individuals did not meet recommended exercise levels."

Take note that you have to mix exercise and diet first to achieve your ideal weight and then to maintain that weight, low-calorie diet will do even with less exercise.

Find more details from the full report.