1. Set a goal for yourself that is realistic and attainable. If you set a goal of losing 20 pounds by next week you're just setting yourself up for failure. You need to have a more realistic goal like losing 20 pounds in two months. That way, you will ore likely stick to your plans.

2. Enjoy food - If healthy eating and exercise is your rule, the occasional Cake is not a problem. Let me clarify that, if you make fitness your normal habit, the occasional favorite treat or desert, such as a mud cake, wedding cake or even a party cake, will not ruin your body. As long as you always come back to the original rule, and not change the rule as you go along.

3. Beware of energy and protein bars - these are usually targeted to women who want to shape up and lose weight. However, energy bars have as much sugar and fat as a regular candy bar.

4. New dieters often fail because they never get started with their eating plan. Continuing with the infamous, "I'll start tomorrow". Keep going with that philosophy and you'll find that infamous tomorrow never comes. After all, tomorrow, is never today. Make a promise to yourself when you will start your eating plan and stick to it.

5. Throw out the sodas and energy drinks - The sodas out of your company snack machine are nothing more than a sugary fix which will just add to your waistline. Step away from these at all costs. The problem is all these false fluids do not hydrate your body in the same way as plain water, and in many cases cause further dehydration. Stick to water, or low fat smoothies!

The above 5 points are just some of the healthy ways to lose weight with. There are simple measures for a lifestyle change and requires a 'just do it' attitude. To lose the weight, have a long term view and plan to make small changes , and be consistent. Everyday, make it a point to follow the 5 points above and include more over time. That way, it becomes second nature and the body fat will drop.