5 Secrets to Lasting Weight Loss

Are you ready to stop yo-yo dieting? We have all read countless studies and know from experience that often, keeping the weight off is as much of a challenge as losing it. Here are 5 secrets to shedding those extra pounds and keeping them off.

1. Individualize - Find what works for you, this may take some trial and error but in the long run it pays off. Lets face it all diets work when you follow them.... but can you live your life with the eating plan? Find a plan that you can not only live with but enjoy. You can do this by assessing what has and hasn't worked in the past, what your food preferences are, and looking for healthy ways to incorporate them into an eating plan.

2. Choose - We all have a choice about what we eat. Choose smart calories - healthy carbohydrates like whole grains, fruit,& vegetables, - low fat proteins like chicken breast, fish, & low fat yogurt, - healthy fats like omega 3 (salmon,nuts,flax seed). You can enjoy your food and feel full.

3. Carbohydrates - The thing is carbohydrates are good for you, if you choose the right ones. Sugar and highly refined flour wreak havoc on your blood sugar causing you to be hungry again very quickly. Studies have shown choosing the good carbohydrates (fruit, veggies, whole grains) over the refined ones (soda, cookies, white bread) can help you to lose up to 10 pounds in a year even if you don't cut calories.

4. Move It - Exercise is important to weight loss and maintaining weight. Every bit counts, if you can't find 30 - 45 minutes in one chunk break it down into 15 minute segments. Be sure to include strength training in your exercise regime to get the double benefit of toned muscle and increased resting metabolism. Start where you are and appreciate all that you body does each and every day. Honor your body by taking care of it.

5. Haunting Habits - Be on the alert for habit creep, the insidious slide back to the habits that helped you gain the weight. Be alert and keep the good habits you've developed from being consumed by the old ones. Schedule regular maintenance check ups with yourself... whats working , whats not, do the clothes still fit the same, are your goals still reflective of what you really want?

Cathy Brennan is a Registered Nurse and Life Coach who helps frustrated dieters lose weight and keep it off.She has helped many clients end their weight loss struggle. Visit http://www.pathwayscoach.com for your free e-recipe book.