1. Make a goal and go for it! - The, possibly, most important tip for losing weight (either fast or slow) is to set a goal and focus on it daily. "I will lose 50 pounds by the end of September", or something along those lines. It's important to include a deadline so you have a definite time-frame to work with.



2. Pay attention to your body - What I mean by this is that you must pay attention to your body and its reaction to foods, exercises and your overall environment; this is true for daily life but especially true when you are starting a weight loss program.

3. Avoid trendy fad diets - These diets don't work. They make you lose weight fast on methods that aren't sustainable and once you stop using their crazy methods, you will gain that weight right back. A successful and sustainable weight loss program is based in sound principles of nutrition, physical activity and healthy lifestyle.

4. Stay focused with activity - It's true: to successfully lose weight, you must also exercise. Some will advise that you must workout with a friend to be able to stay with it. Make sure it's a friend who will not distract you with idle chatter at the gym. With a friend or alone, make sure to stay focused at the gym or wherever you decide to workout.

5. Throw in some weights - You need a combination of cardio and strength training or weight training. Cardio will do great for building stamina but weight training will help you build muscle, which makes it easier for your body to lose weight, and raise your metabolism, which speeds up the process of digestion.

6. Plan your workouts - One way to stay focused with your workouts and to successfully lose weight is by planning it out. Each week, plan your workouts. When you set aside time for your workouts, they become important and less likely to be forgotten.

7. Little workouts are good too - In addition to your planned workouts for the week, little workouts throughout the day will also help your weight loss efforts.

8. Drink water - And by water, I mean lots of it! When you get hungry, instead of reaching for a meal-in-a-bottle, soda, fruit drink, or anything like that, grab a glass of water instead. There's much more value in a glass of water than those sugar-filled drinks. Water will hydrate you without the negative effects of sugared drinks.

9. Avoid sugary drinks - This includes soda, coffee (very acidic), fruit drinks, sports drinks and alcoholic beverages.. Instead, drink water or tea, both very healthy and refreshing.

10. Avoid junk foods - This includes fast foods and anything else that can be considered junk food. You know, the junk food aisle at the grocery store, yeah avoid that.

11. Minimize carbs - While there is room for carbs in your diet, it is best to minimize it. These would be bread, pasta, and cereals.

12. No frying! - Instead of frying, grill or broil your meats and vegetables. Grilled and broiled foods have more healthy traits than fried foods and is safer and easier to prepare. For vegetables, steaming is best.

13. Eat less more often - Instead of the typical 3 square meals a day, eat something like 5-6 smaller meals a day. This will keep you more full throughout the day, so you won't have urges for junk.

14. Do not forget breakfast - Even though most of us are in a hurry in the morning, breakfast is very important. Do not skip it. Eat a meal high in protein first thing in the morning.

15. Learn good habits - It sounds childish but it's important to learn good habits when it comes to losing weight. Once you do something 20 times or more, it becomes a habit so make sure those things are good things, such as eating healthy, working out regularly and just staying attuned to your body. Your new good habits will help you lose the weight and keep it off forever.