How to Stick with a Diet

You've tried losing weight before. At first you did well, but about a month in you stopped going to the gym and you ate a cheeseburger and it was back to the same old. Sound familiar? So, what's different this time around. How about a little motivation? The only way to get on board is to motivate yourself. No one can do it for you!

1. Subscribe to a Magazine - Read articles about staying fit and losing weight. You don't want to become obsessed, but a little motivation never hurt anyone. Magazines like Shape and Self have great tips on what to eat, how to exercise and recipes to try.

2. Get Out Your Photo Albums - Pull out your high school yearbook or photo album and reminisce about how you used to look. If you've had children or you're just older, be realistic about how you want to look now. Keep an image in your mind about how you'll look and feel strolling around the pool in your new bathing suit this summer feeling fabulous!

3. Write Down Your Goals - Set a realistic goal and put it up on the mirror so you can see it before each day. If you have 100 pounds to lose, why not start with a goal of five or 10 pounds. Put it on a post-it and tack it to the mirror in your bathroom or in your car so you remember to skip that morning latte.

4. Pick a Reward - For instance, if I lose the last 15 pounds, I will buy a bathing suit from any place I want. I usually go with a Target bathing suit on the clearance rack in the off season, but this year, if I lose that last bit of weight, I'm allowing myself a nice, regular-priced swimsuit from whereever I please...within reason, of course.

5. Don't Buy Ice Cream - Occassional treats are allowed when you are trying to lose weight, but if you have a half gallon of ice cream in the freezer it might call your name all day until eventually, you can't ignore it. This goes for cookies, cakes, candy and any other sweets that can sabotage your plans. Just don't buy it and you won't have to listen to it.

6. Take Before and After Shots - Snap a photo of yourself in your current state and start a scrapbook of your weight loss journey. It's motivating to really see your progress over time.

7. Take Your Measurements, Not Just Your Weight - Some people look at the number on the scale and are very discouraged which leads some to give up on the whole thing. Remember, if your clothes feel looser, that counts! If might help to take your measurements every couple weeks. The reduction of inches will keep you feeling like you're accomplishing something.

8. Try Something (Anything) New - If you have a gym membership, but you are tired of seeing the same faces and same old equipment, try something new. Grab a buddy and head to the local trails for a run once a week. Walk during your lunch break on occasion. Try some DVD's at home. Changing it up will keep you from getting bored.

9. Join a Support Group - There are so many support groups online with people who are going through the same difficulties and tribulations as you. Get out there and shared your story. Read other's experiences and you'll get great ideas on workouts and weight loss plans that are working for people just like you.

10. Eat a Variety of Foods - Only you can decide what you like to eat. Inevitably, if you aren't happy with what you're eating, you aren't going to stick with it. That especially goes for fad dieters. You might lose 10 pounds really fast, but chances are you are going to pack that weight back on by June. Look out there for healthy recipes and make them. Figure out what you like to eat and you'll be more likely to keep it up forever. It's not about dieting. It's about changing eating habits for life. One of my favorite spots for new recipes a website called Skinnytaste. She updates her recipes very often and even has the Weight Watchers and Points Plus info for each meal. Popular weight loss programs like Weight Watchers are meant to teach you how to eat forever so that you don't ever have to set the "weight loss" resolution for yourself ever again.