Have you ever wondered why more than 90 percent of dieters regain weight soon after their weight loss “success”? Dieters who choose a crash diet or extreme weight loss plan might enjoy the instant gratification of quick weight loss, but most end up regaining the lost weight and even a few extra pounds the moment they are “off”‘ the diet. Health experts continue to tell us that the only way to lose weight in the long-term is to maintain a healthy eating plan – one that doesn’t involve any extreme calorie cutting or carb-counting, and a plan that doesn’t require eliminating certain food groups.

If you’re serious about losing weight in the long-term, you may need to make some lifestyle changes and change your food habits; however, these positive changes can help you maintain a healthy weight for the rest of your life.

Keys to Weight Loss Success

When you’re determined to lose weight and create your own weight loss success story for the long run, there are several ways to get started. Here are some simple tips and strategies for losing weight and keeping it off for the long-term:

1. Cut out junk food from your daily menu. Junk food is one of the most common culprits of diet sabotage, and the habit will make you gain weight easily. Make a conscious decision to eliminate junk food from your daily diet and replace your snacks and meals with healthier, more nutritious alternatives.

2. Avoid eating after 8 p.m. Eating large meals late at night can make it difficult to lose weight, and you’re more likely to overeat when you’re stressed or tired at the end of the day. Plan your meals so that your largest meal is during the day – preferably at lunchtime – so you can burn off all those calories from your daily activities with ease.

3. Add more natural foods to your plate. Make a conscious decision to add more fresh fruit and vegetables to your daily menu so you are eating real and wholesome food regularly. Fruits and vegetables are chock full of vitamins, minerals and fiber.

4. Eat breakfast each morning. Eat a healthy breakfast that consists of whole grains, fruit and some protein such as egg whites to get your day off to a healthy start. Eating breakfast can help reduce your hunger throughout the day and help you stick with your healthy diet.

5. Exercise portion control. Find out what a real serving size of meats, whole grains and other food items really is so you’re not unintentionally overeating one specific type of food. Don’t count on restaurants or well-meaning friends to dish out your meal. Take the time to find out what a serving of protein or carbs really looks like so you can enjoy balanced meals each and every day.

Avoid the temptation to jump onto the latest crash diet bandwagon and look forward to weight loss success with a sensible, slow-paced plan that gets results! You can start making small changes and adopting healthier habits so that weight loss becomes a natural and healthy process – and you can finally lose those extra pounds for good.