Are your habits affecting weight loss? [study]

Recently Nick Lachey revealed his 12-pound weight loss he achieved while dancing on the show "Dancing with the Stars." Although dancing can be an effective and enjoyable exercise for helping dieters to lose weight and keep it off, some habits dieters develop may actually cost you muscle. For those suffering from diabetes, weight loss can be a struggle too. A new diabetes drug shows promise with helping dieters lose weight.

Simple changes in habits will also help with weight loss.

Does this drug slow down food in your stomach?

Men's Health reported that a new injectable drug used to treat diabetes has helped dieters achieve significant weight loss too. The drug, liraglutide, is used to keep blood sugar in check. In a new study published in The Lancet, 40 obese adults with a body mass index over 30 were recruited by researchers and split into two groups. The first group received behavioral and nutritional counseling to help them lose weight. The second group received injections of the drug along with weight loss counseling.

While the control group lost about five and a half pounds, those who used the drug lost 12 pounds. The study lasted 16 weeks.

Weight loss habits affect muscle

Women's Health reported that certain habits dieters have may cause muscle loss. Cutting calories is necessary for Losing Weight. The problem is that cutting too many calories puts the body into starvation mode and the body has to use muscle to continue basic functions. Nick Clayton, C.S.C.S., the personal training program manager for the National Strength and Conditioning Association said that dieters should avoid cutting more than 500 to 1,000 calories per day from their diets. What you eat is just as important as how much. Those who ate more protein experienced an increase in muscle mass.

Clayton suggested 1.6 grams of protein per pound of body weight. Maintaining muscle also means lifting weights in order to maintain current muscle mass.

Pop Sugar said that there were three simple things dieters could do to help them with weight loss. Instead of thinking of losing foods like pizza and ice cream from your diet, focus on all the healthy new foods you can add to your diet. Standing instead of sitting burns more calories while putting healthy foods where they are easily seen makes it easier to reach for healthier foods. A new Australian weight loss study published in the Journal of Obesity revealed that cheating on your diet helped dieters to lose more weight than those who stuck to a strict diet.