You may feel like your weight loss goals are lofty and far off. It seems like everything goes well to begin with, but after the initial excitement, the momentum wears off. Why do others succeed? Some folks lose weight and keep it off. What is the secret?

Before you do anything else, decide on some realistic weight loss goals. Do you simply yearn to fit into your old clothes, or do you actually want to make a huge reduction in your weight? Are you interested in feeling more fit and improving your overall health? When you have goals set it will give you something to work towards.

Keep a record of your progress. Write things down, such as caloric intake, foods you ingest and beverages you choose. Start a weight loss diary, making note of your weight on a weekly basis. Within the journal, create a food log to keep track of all the food you eat each day. Knowing all the details are right there in black and white serves to keep you on track.

Do not wait until hunger strikes before you make decisions about food. Being hungry while making food choices can be counterproductive. However, if you are in a situation where you have to make food choices while you are hungry, try to make good choices. Try preparing your meals prior to being hungry and keeping healthy snacks around to avoid temptations. Bring your lunch instead of going out to eat. This will help you with two very worthwhile goals - losing weight and saving money!

The most effective way to get weight off is to eat healthy and work out on a regular basis. Rather than aiming for exercising daily and burning out, try to schedule 3 or four workouts a week. Make exercise fun if you are bored with it. Join a dance club or class, for example, if you already enjoy dancing.

Maintaining a healthy diet means getting junk food out of your home. You cannot eat what you do not have, so make sure that you only stock healthy foods in the house. Fresh fruit and veggies are always good options when considering snacks that are healthy for you. Do not buy foods you know you will overindulge in. You will be less likely to eat these foods if they are harder for you to get at them.

It is important to have support when you are trying to lose weight. While it is up to you to actually lose the weight, it surely helps to have friends encouraging you on the way. When things get really hard, and you hit the point where you just want to give up, reach out to someone who supports you. It can change your mindset and make all the difference.