A new study has confirmed what many of us already know: diets are not a good way to lose weight in the long term.

Researchers at UCLA found that although dieters can lose significant amounts of weight in the first few months, most will return to their starting weight within five years, according to a report by Britian's Guardian Unlimited.

You can initially lose 5% to 10% of your weight on any number of diets, but then the weight comes back. We found that the majority of people regained all the weight, plus more," said Traci Mann, a psychologist. "Sustained weight loss was found only in a small minority of participants, while complete weight regain was found in the majority."

However, the picture's not all bleak. It just needs a little attitude adjustment. Experts said thinking of your plan as a lifestyle change and making incremental moves to improve your health is key to losing weight and keeping it off.

What do you think? Do you agree?

-- Amanda Barrett, amNY.com