1. Stop Dieting!

This tip is listed first for a reason: it’s definitely one of the most important ways to lose weight for good. How is it possible to lose weight without being on a diet, you ask? Because dieting, or being on a diet, is temporary. Enjoying a healthy diet, though, is a life-long healthy-living choice, and will help you keep fit and healthy forever.

2. Add Exercise

There’s no good way to lose weight, and keep it off, without regular, strenuous exercise, and anyone who says otherwise is dead wrong. I suppose you could lose a little weight by just changing your diet, but you’ll end up being the thinnest, flabbiest girl around. Aim for 45 minutes of heart-thumping exercise 5 days a week, and make sure you’re including a good mix of cardio, weight training and flexibility exercise each time.

3. Stay Motivated

Forming a new set of healthy habits isn’t easy, but the first few weeks are especially heinous. That’s why it’s so important to stay motivated, to keep in mind the reasons you want to lose weight and stay fit. If you have kids, remember what a good example you’re setting for them; if you’re tired of fighting muffin top, keep in mind how good it will feel to be toned rather than worrying about bikini-buying season. Whatever keeps you inspired, use it to fuel you through the first six to eight weeks, when the good habits are the hardest to keep.

4. Make Simple Swaps

Okay, so I’ve been talking about making life-long diet changes to stay fit forever, but what does that mean exactly? It can really be as easy as making a few simple swaps. For example, ditch the nutrient-stripped white breads for wholesome, tasty, fiber-rich whole grains. Swap the soda (especially diet soda) for no-sugar-added mixed fruit juice, or water with lemon, or iced green tea. Give up fast food burgers for mixed green salads without dressing. Go from three big meals to five or six smaller meals, which will keep your metabolism kicking in high gear all day. These little swaps will make all the difference!

5. Slow down

Your mother was right – don’t wolf your food! Take your time to thoroughly chew each bite, and pause between bites to make sure you know when you’re full… sometimes, it can take up to ten minutes for your brain to realize your belly is full. Besides, your food tastes good, so take the time to enjoy it a little!

6. Be Realistic

Not everyone was meant to be a size 2, and thank goodness for that! There’s a big difference between being skinny and being curvy but fit; always opt for curvy and fit! Love your curves, and be realistic with your lifelong fitness goals.

7. Change Your Lifestyle

There are so many things besides your diet and exercise plans that could be contributing to how fit and healthy you are! To be as fit and healthy (and happy) as possible, quit smoking, stay hydrated, and get plenty of sleep, too! Hundreds of studies have shown that all five of these – healthy diet, regular exercise, not smoking, sleeping well, and staying hydrated – are all important to living a long, fit, healthy, happy life.

Follow these tips if you want to lose weight and keep it off for good. None of these are impossible, especially if you’re serious about living a long, happy life. I can’t stress how important the simple swaps can be to making this whole process easy and even – gasp! – enjoyable. Which of these ideas are you excited to try? Or do you have more advice to share?