I have heard many people say that the key to the weight loss is starving oneself.  The truth is that weight loss and starvation are not the same.  Sure, lowering calorie consumption during weight loss is required to result in weight loss, but lowering it too far will result in your lowers metabolism. The key to weight loss is creating a calorie deficit.  Starvation requires the body becomes more efficient thus it will require fewer calories to perform your daily requirements.  Dieting if done properly does not result is metabolic slowing.  Instead, dieting will result in weight loss with metabolic changes based on your weight changes.