With hundreds of fad diets it is hard to know where to begin. It's important to realize that it really isn't about a diet which is temporary and usually drastic. Weight loss is about a change in eating lifestyle. Here are six strategies for success in your weight loss goals.

1. Commitment

It's your body and your mouth that you feed. Only you can decide its time to make the changes for a healthier you. Consider factors in your life that may be sabotaging your goal of weight loss. Are you eating for comfort? Are you eating from boredom? Address these issues and commit to a better way of determining what goes in your stomach.

Motivate yourself by focusing on the outcome. Healthier body. Feeling better. More energy. New clothes!

2. Support

While ultimately the commitment to weigh loss is your decision, its helpful to have the support of others around you. A personal trainer at a gym provides accountability for your goals. Joining Weight Watchers either locally or online is another way of achieving support. Surround yourself with people that are not overeaters. Say "no" to the invitations to the "all you can eat" buffet.

3. Be Realistic

You didn't get overweight overnight. Neither will you lose it overnight. Aim to lose 1-2 pounds per week. This requires you to burn 500 - 1000 calories a day whether by adding exercise or eating less calories. Set weekly goals to reach your total goal. Choose healthier eating habits that are realistic to your lifestyle. If you must go through a fast food drive-through, be prepared to make the best choice for lower calories and less fat content.

4. Healthier Foods

Diet pills, liquid diets and odd foods are not the key to long term weight control. The key is learning to eat healthier food, consuming less calories, drinking more water and adding plenty of fruit and vegetables to your meals. Generally, women under 250 pounds should eat approximately 1200 calories per day. Less than this and you run the risk of not getting enough nutrients for good health.

5. Get Active

While eating less food will help you in your weight loss goals, adding exercise will double your rate of weight loss. Consider this: Cutting 250 calories from your daily diet will help you lose half a pound per week. But if you add a 30-minute brisk walk, four days a week to your health plan, you can doublt your rate of weight loss.

Exercise helps provide you with added calorie burn. It helps with cardiovascular conditions (healthy heart) in addition to building healthy bones and muscle.

Park your car further from the store entrance. Walk the flight of stairs to your office instead of taking the elevator. Each day you can add activity to your day and enjoy the added benefits to your weight loss goals.

6. Make it a Habit

Take a good look at your lifestyle. Are you in a habit to eat an extra bowl of ice cream every night during the news? Do you snack when you are on the run instead of having healthy food? Focus on the habits in your life that might cause you to sabotage your weight loss goals and change them.

Each day is a fresh start towards your weight loss goals. If you have a setback, determine it will not happen again. Get back to your plan and focus again on the necessary changes you must make.

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