I went vegetarian and lost 35 pounds in 3 months, and I DID NOT START EXERCISING. I haven't changed much about my lifestyle, except for cutting out meat. A year and a half later, I've only gained 5 pounds of that back, and in that time, I've gone from not drinking at all to drinking regularly (booze= extra calories). I have more energy and stamina, I'm sleeping better, my moods are more stable. All in all, it's been good for me.

Done right a vegetarian diest is high protein and low fat, and your carbs can be adjusted to suit your individual needs. If you limit your dairy and egg intake, it is also low cholesterol.

Now, I know this intense lifestyle change is not for everyone, and it can lead to serious nutritional deficiencies if you are careless, but it is a viable option for weight loss, especially if you want to reduce your fat and cholesterol intake.