I was 40 lbs overweight and pre diabetic so I cut out sweets, eat balanced meals but less and exercise regularly. In the last 6 months I've lost 35 lbs and all my blood work has come back normal. Once you get used to eating less, less will make you full. I've been walking a lot with my dog after dinner and do sprint interval training 3 days a week along with weights once a week. Feel 100 times better, also cut way down on alcohol and very little if any processed foods, plenty of vegetables with a big veggie salad at dinner every night. Went from 205 to 170 in 6 months.