By Rosanne Rust

Maintaing a reasonable weight is important to good health, but losing weight is tough. You have to be dedicated to the effort. You have to be willing to learn some new things, whether it is about portion control or creating a calorie deficit through increased physical activity. Successful weight loss is fueled by two important lifestyle changes: increasing activity and decreasing calories. Nothing new is it? Yet while is remains a challenge for almost everyone, it does not have to be grueling, it can be enjoyable.

Patience and compassion with yourself are important when it comes to beginning a weight loss program. It takes time to lose weight, and controlling that weight also is a process. Maybe you haven’t had to lose a significant amount of weight, but chances are, you are constantly working on preventing weight gain. So maybe “weight control” is the more apt term, as opposed to “weight loss”. The same behaviors that lead to weight loss must be used for weight control as well.

One “diet” does not fit all but there are several key factors that lead to successful weight loss. Researchers have found that the triad of reduced calories, increased exercise, and behavior therapy, is the best combination for success.

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Dietitians involved with the Look AHEAD Trial at the University of Pittsburgh, which studies type II diabetics and the affect that weight loss has on diabetes control,  have found that these factors or characteristics in people are good indicators for improving the success rate of weight loss:

1 Interest in health (ie, it’s not just about the pants)

2 Willing to exercise

3 Weigh themselves

4 Unsatisfied with current weight