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Sometimes taking the first step to lose weight is the easiest. Nothing in your closet fits. You and your best friend no longer wear the same size. Or you just got a glimpse of the phots from the family reunion.

There are many successful programs that lead to weight loss. And there are individuals who are able to lose weight at home without the help of an organized group. What most people trying to lose weight have in common, however, is getting off to a great start, then losing their motivation within a matter of weeks or even days.

You might write down everything you eat and get a feeling of elation at being in control of your eating habits for a while. Perhaps you bought a gym membership, used it twice and then left those workout clothes in the closet because it was raining hard. Pretty soon, it's two weeks later, and you aren't writing down anything or making any trips to the gym.

Here are some suggestions to help keep you motivated and on track toward your weight loss goal:

1. Find out what has the greatest impact on your behavior. For some, it's facing the scale each week. Others trying to lose weight report that being part of a support group or a weight-loss program and interacting socially with other members is essential. Whatever it is, make sure you include in your plans each week.

2. Celebrate every success. Do you get really excited each time that you've tried to lose weight and managed to shed those first 10 pounds? You need to mark each success, no matter how large or how small. Fitting into a smaller size is phenomenal. Having a great time at a dinner party or a work luncheon and keeping on your food plan is fantastic. Passing up that Snickers bar in the candy machine is just as important. Celebrate by rewarding yourself with a non-food item. Taking time to see a movie or buying a book or a DVD is a great way.

3. Find a buddy. Don't know anyone else who will admit to wanting to lose weight? No problem, because your buddy doesn't have to meet with you in person. You can do it by email or phone. This is the person with whom you will be brutally honest about your ups and downs.

4. Set a series of small goals. If you have more than 50 pounds to lose and have been overweight your entire life, your task might seem like a mountain you just can't climb. However, if you tackle it five pounds at a time, that mountain just became a series of much smaller hills to navigate. You can also set a percentage goal, such as losing

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