Before completely giving up on ever being the weight you'd like to be, consider drinking your way to your ideal weight – you may just keep the weight off longer.

Researchers from Clinical Research Labs in New Jersey followed 64 women for one year and compared the effects on body weight and composition of two diet plans similar in nutrients.

One plan incorporated liquid meal replacements while the other plan followed a more traditional diet of low-fat, low-energy foods.

Results showed that at three months, both groups had significant reductions from baseline weight and body fat without loss of lean body mass. However, after one year, the meal replacement group maintained their initial weight/fat loss, whereas the traditional food group regained most of the initial weight and fat losses.

Researchers say permanently changing eating habits may not be achievable for some, therefore, meal replacements may be a useful tool for women unable to alter their eating habits enough to maintain a lower weight.