6 Tips to Lose the Weight for Good

Want to lose weight, but feel as though you’ve already tried every trick in the book?
 It’s time to take a different approach to dieting. These 6 proven strategies will help you slim down for good.

1) Change the way you describe your goals.

Call it whatever you want, but don't call what you’re doing a diet  says David Grotto, RD  author of The Best Things You Can Eat.
Diets have a beginning and an end , and that’s the problem.
You will only succeed, Grotto says, when you make a lifelong commitment to a healthier lifestyle.

2) Form a fan club.

Tell supportive friends, family members, and co-workers about the changes you’re trying to make, Norcross says.
Let them know what you need and how they can help. Be specific. Don’t leave this up to them to figure out.
For instance, maybe you don’t want them to remind you of what you are or aren’t supposed to eat, but you would like them to give you ongoing encouragement or pep talks when you need them.

3) Break up with things that don't work.

Consider what you’ve done in the past to try to lose weight. What you could do differently this time?
For example: if your downfalls were snacking at work and waiting until the end of the day to exercise, start packing a healthy snack to take with you each day and go for a run first thing in the morning before the day's demands get in the way of your good intentions.

4) Be your own BFF.

When you miss the mark, show yourself some compassion. You’ll avoid letting a slip become a fall, Norcross says. His research on New Year’s resolutions found that most people who succeed at keeping them say their first slipup strengthened their resolve.
So give yourself a pep talk, just as you would a close friend. Then dust yourself off, learn from the lapse, and pick up where you left off.

5) Make it easier on yourself.

Set yourself up for success with some small tweaks, starting at home.
Do things that will help, not hinder, your weight loss. If you want to make that early-morning jog happen, lay out your running gear before going to bed. Want to get in the habit of snacking on fruit, not chips? Put a bowl of fresh apples or pears on your kitchen table or counter. If it's convenient, it's more likely to happen.
Our environments have a major influence on our ability to change our habits.

6) Be flexible.

Something is bound to pop up that can throw you off track (the grocery store sells out of your favorite salad ingredients, or your favorite Zumba class moves to a new time).
Expect the unexpected. You might have to create a backup plan on a moment’s notice .
like trying a new class at the gym, or buying celery or snap peas to go with your hummus.

Want to lose weight, but feel as though you’ve already tried every trick in the book?
 It’s time to take a different approach to dieting. These 6 proven strategies will help you slim down for good.

1) Change the way you describe your goals.

Call it whatever you want, but don't call what you’re doing a diet  says David Grotto, RD  author of The Best Things You Can Eat.
Diets have a beginning and an end , and that’s the problem.
You will only succeed, Grotto says, when you make a lifelong commitment to a healthier lifestyle.

2) Form a fan club.

Tell supportive friends, family members, and co-workers about the changes you’re trying to make, Norcross says.
Let them know what you need and how they can help. Be specific. Don’t leave this up to them to figure out.
For instance, maybe you don’t want them to remind you of what you are or aren’t supposed to eat, but you would like them to give you ongoing encouragement or pep talks when you need them.

3) Break up with things that don't work.

Consider what you’ve done in the past to try to lose weight. What you could do differently this time?
For example: if your downfalls were snacking at work and waiting until the end of the day to exercise, start packing a healthy snack to take with you each day and go for a run first thing in the morning before the day's demands get in the way of your good intentions.

4) Be your own BFF.

When you miss the mark, show yourself some compassion. You’ll avoid letting a slip become a fall, Norcross says. His research on New Year’s resolutions found that most people who succeed at keeping them say their first slipup strengthened their resolve.
So give yourself a pep talk, just as you would a close friend. Then dust yourself off, learn from the lapse, and pick up where you left off.

5) Make it easier on yourself.

Set yourself up for success with some small tweaks, starting at home.
Do things that will help, not hinder, your weight loss. If you want to make that early-morning jog happen, lay out your running gear before going to bed. Want to get in the habit of snacking on fruit, not chips? Put a bowl of fresh apples or pears on your kitchen table or counter. If it's convenient, it's more likely to happen.
Our environments have a major influence on our ability to change our habits.

6) Be flexible.

Something is bound to pop up that can throw you off track (the grocery store sells out of your favorite salad ingredients, or your favorite Zumba class moves to a new time).
Expect the unexpected. You might have to create a backup plan on a moment’s notice .
like trying a new class at the gym, or buying celery or snap peas to go with your hummus.