Count Calories-It's That Simple!

In the midst of debates about which diet is the best of all, it is a bit of a relief to hear of someone shedding pounds the good ol’ fashioned way.

When bending over to put on his socks and shoes became a difficult task, Sujit Bhattacharya knew he had a weight problem on his hands. After a doctor told him he had high cholesterol in 2006, his wife and friends set him straight—it was time to lose weight.

Bhattacharya took the tough love and began to research weight loss on the internet, devising a plan to decrease calorie consumption. He began journaling his regular meals only to discover that he had been eating more than 2,500 calories a day, sometimes reaching 3,000. This led him to reduce his caloric intake to 1,500 calories per day, helping him to lose one pound every two to three days. He also began to eat more fruits and veggies and limited fat-laden meats in his diet.

Exercise was also a key factor. Bhattacharya was already committed to three days a week of mild cardio and lifting heavy weights. But he revamped his routine, keeping the weights and adding more fat-burning cardio.

By the end of the sixth month, Bhattacharya had lost 40 pounds and maintained his weight, other than the addition of five pounds of muscle. He says the weight loss has done more than improve his body, it helped him establish a better mind-body connection and fight off illness.

If you are looking to try Bhattacharya’ s plan, keep in mind that health experts recommend women never eat less than 1,200 calories and men stick to no fewer than 1,500 calories per day. As always, check with your doctor before beginning any weight loss plan.

We want to hear about your weight loss success and road blocks—share your stories here! [CNN]