Effects of 30‐day diet cycling on weight loss and resting energy expenditure in women participating in the Curves® fitness program: a preliminary long‐term analysis

25 women (34±7 yrs, 89±19 kg; 43±5% body fat) were assigned to a high carbohydrate (HC, n=13) or high protein (HP, n=12) diet group. Subjects consumed 1,200 kcals/d for 1‐wk and 1,500 kcals/d for 3‐wks. Subjects then followed a 2,200 kcals/d maintenance diet for 4 wks and then repeated diet cycles. Diets were 25% fat with either 45% CHO or 45% PRO. Subjects participated in the Curves circuit training program 3‐d/wk and walked for 30‐min 3‐d/wk. Data were analyzed by repeated measures ANOVA and are presented as means ± SD changes from baseline after 1, 2, 3, 4, & 5 months, respectfully. Time effects were observed in weight loss (−5.1±5.0, −7.2±6.1, −9.1±7.8, −10.8±9.3, −11.4±10.4 lbs, p=0.001) and fat loss (−4.0±3.0, −5.9±3.1, −6.5±3.9, −8.5±5.8, −8.8±6.4 lbs, p=0.001) with no significant differences were seen between groups in weight loss (HC −4.1±4.1, −6.1±5.8, −8.5±8.4, −9.5±8.9, −10.7±10.7; HP −6.0±5.8, −8.2±6.4, −9.6±7.6, −12.0±9.8, −12.1±7.6 lbs, p=0.79) and fat loss (HC −4.3±3.4, −5.5±2.6, −6.1±3.7, −8.3±5.5, −8.6±6.2; HP −3.8±2.7, − 6.2±3.7, −6.8±4.2, −8.7±6.3, −9.0±6.8 lbs, p=0.79). REE declined over time (−0.91±1.7, −1.23±2.4, −0.93±2.3, −0.35±2.3, −0.35±2,1 kcal/kg/d, Q p=0.01) with no differences between groups. Preliminary findings suggest that following 30‐day cycles of dieting/maintenance can promote gradual weight loss while allowing for a maintenance in REE.