Losing weight is a tough undertaking, it takes time and effort. Many people have a very difficult time with it and turn to fad diets and pills, yes, these often help to lose weight but they have serious limits. Pills and fad diets are very short term, they help lose weight quickly for a very short time but that’s where it ends. Many, many people not only regain the lost weight after the diet is over or the pill box is empty but they often will gain more than they originally had. That’s why a more permanent, lifestyle change MUST be made to actually keep the weight off.

I would like to share with you a few tips on achieving a more permanent weight loss. So, here's a list of many of the old classic tips that you may have seen before. Please, take them seriously, these ideas have been around for a long time for a reason and they will make a difference.

Sodas and other sugar drinks: Not only are these high in calories but the calories you get from them are of a very poor quality. They won't help you stay full longer than if you don't drink them and will, in the end, greatly hinder your weight loss goals.

Exercise: This one is a no-brainer, we all know the benefits of exercise, both for your overall health and for your dieting but most of us hate to do it, me included. So, here's a small tip, don't force yourself to go to the gym or make yourself miserable by jogging, but get a physical hobby. Find a partner or a group of people and engage in a nice physical activity or sport. Join a sports club for racquetball or wall climbing or find a city-sponsored activity or club. There are a lot of options out there, not just weights and running, that are fun and get you plenty of exercise.

Careful on the exercise: Exercise is very important, however, if you are the type to be able to head on down to the gym or go out running, take it easy at first. Pushing yourself physically in the beginning will very often result in a great disliking for what you are doing or just wearing yourself out to the point of stopping all together.

Add more steps than necessary: If it's not raining or snowing, park on the far side of the parking lot when you go shopping, take the stairs instead of the elevator or escalator. In short, walk. Doing small things like this has two benefits: 1) the calories themselves, sure, it doesn't burn many calories but it helps, and 2) it keeps you aware of your dieting, always being conscience of what you are doing and how it is helping your weight loss goals will help keep you motivated and thus could help you stay on track when otherwise you might have slipped.

Take it slow: Don't rush it, don't try to starve yourself, eating too few calories will not only cause a lot of discomfort and fatigue but will cause your body's metabolism to slow down, preventing you from burning as many calories per day from just being alive. Make sure you get enough to eat everyday and make sure your comfortable with your diet, if you're not you will be almost guaranteed not make your goals.

Variety: The old adage, "Variety is the spice of life", couldn't be more true. If you plan on losing weight and keeping it off, remember to keep it fresh and new. Eat new and interesting food, do new and interesting things, make sure you don't stick to the same stuff all the time or you will get bored and the odds of failure will greatly increase.

Eat well: Don't go cold turkey on your favorite desserts or the occasional fast-food burger. Just start cutting back, eat them less and less often, you might just be surprised at how your cravings for them will wane.