by Amber Hilton

Created on: June 01, 2009

When you see it written down on paper, weight loss seems pretty simple: burn more calories than you consume. Piece of cake, right? Unfortunately, as simple as weight management might appear in theory, the majority of adult Americans are overweight and unhappy in their bodies. There are those who lose weight only to gain it right back again with the bonus of an added ten pounds and those who try every diet but never see any significant results on the scale.

What I'm talking about here isn't rapid weight loss, but lasting weight loss. It won't happen overnight, but if you follow these diet secrets, lasting weight loss will be yours in time.

1. Be persistent. People have a tendency to be too hard on themselves when trying to lose weight. Most people who are overweight have low self-esteem, are very unhappy in their own skin and feel that they are failures that have no will power. This leads them to set goals that are wildly unrealistic and create diet plans that are much too strict. When you do this, you are setting yourself up for failure. Instead, start with small changes and celebrate even the seemingly most insignificant accomplishments. Remember that every day is a new day. If you slip-up and find yourself at a drive-thru window, forgive yourself and remember that the slate will be wiped clean tomorrow. For every time you fall prey to temptation, remember all of the times throughout the day that you stood firm and overcame your cravings or every time you took the stairs instead of the elevator.

2. Hop on the scale. Regular weigh-ins are important if you want to lose the weight and keep it off. They not only help you to hold yourself accountable for your habits, but they also provide positive reinforcement once you start to make progress towards your goal. Regular weigh-ins are just as important once you've reached your ideal weight if you want to make sure that the pounds don't creep back on. Any more than a two-pound weight gain (which could be attributed to water weight or a large meal), should be a reminder to take a closer look at your diet and exercise habits of late. If you really want to stay on top of your weight, step on the scale once a day (aim for the same time every day as your body can fluctuate from day to night).

3. Avoid eating out. Restaurants are a sure-fire way to sabotage your weight loss efforts. Most dishes on the menu are high in fat and calories and portion sizes are growing out of control. By preparing your meals at home, you

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