Updated March 08, 2014.
To lose weight and keep it off, you will need to make changes to four aspects of your life. You will need to:
 

• Have realistic expectations of yourself
• Find a diet you can stick to
• Increase your activity level
• Make the behavior modifications that will help you achieve long-term success.

This article explores the four main changes required in order to lose weight.

 

1. Set a Healthy Goal

The first step to take if you are thinking about starting to lose weight is to determine a healthy goal weight.

Your doctor can help you determine what a healthy weight or normal Body Mass Index is (you should see your doctor before you start a diet anyway). Beginning with a "mini" goal of losing 5- to 10-percent of your current weight is an excellent starting point. You should attempt to lose no more than one to two pounds per week in order to lose weight at a safe rate.
Do You Need to Lose Weight?
Set Realistic Weight-Loss Goals
Let Go of that "Magic Number"
A Healthy Weight

 

2. Find a Diet that Fits You

Finding a diet that you can adapt and adhere to as a lifestyle change rather than a "quick fix" in the short term is key. It's important that you consider your eating habits, schedule, cooking skills and food preferences as you make this decision. No matter how much resolve you have to lose weight now, a few weeks into following a diet that you hate, eating meals that you dread ... your resolve will be all but gone.
What is the Best Diet for You?
Before You Choose a Diet
Diets A to Z
The "Non-Diet" Diet: Counting Calories

 

3. Increase Your Activity Level

Next, you will need to plan and stick to a moderate exercise routine that you can do consistently, without injury risk, and that you look forward to enough to continue. Increasing your activity level can mean the difference between achieving a temporary weight loss with dieting alone and long-term weight-management success by combining permanent dietary changes and regular exercise.
Beginner's Exercise Guide
Exercise for Weight Loss
How to Start to Exercise and Increase Activity
Start Slow, Start Smart

4. Change Your Lifestyle

Lastly, you will need to make appropriate behavior modification so that you will stick to your dietary changes and exercise routine and be able to keep weight you have lost from creeping back. These changes might include developing stress-management techniques that don't involve eating or identifying healthier ways to satisfy high-cal food cravings. Careful examination of your eating and lifestyle habits will help you pinpoint your problem areas and designate where changes need to be made.
Keep a Food Diary
Deal with Emotional Eating
Prevent Overeating
Control Portions

If you are ready to lose weight, signing up for our free Weight Loss 101 e-Course is a great way to make sure you have covered all the basics as you start your weight-loss journey.