Your mind is your best tool weight loss tool. Just don't try to lose weight, believe you can lose weight. Picture yourself thin. Every time you weigh yourself see your ideal weight showing up on the scale. If you have photos of yourself at your ideal weight keep them where you can glance at them often. Focus on that photo and see yourself now as you were then. Think about how comfortable your clothes will fit. How much more energy you'll have. If it helps, think about how much more attractive your significant other will find you at your ideal weight. When you reach for a snack, tell yourself you're satisfied with what you've already eaten. Focus on the thin you inside and soon it will be a reality.

Keep a diary of the food you eat for the few days before you start a new eating regime. Most of us don't realize just how much food we eat in a day. We have a tendency to 'forget' the extra cream cheese with the bagel, bag of chips with lunch, mid afternoon frozen yogurt break and bedtime snack of chocolate cookies. Being aware of how much and what you eat means you can make healthful changes. If you hit a diet plateau, get out your food diary again and start keeping track. The knowledge that you will be writing down every mouthful will motivate you to stick with your routine.

A food diary serves another purpose as well. If you make a note of what you're doing and how you're feeling when you're eating, or want to eat, you may realize there are certain situations that are triggers. When you know what triggers eating you can prepare for it, either by avoiding the situation, or if that's not possible, having a healthy snack ready to munch. Sometimes just the fact you realize that a situation has the potential for diet sabotage can help you avoid the eating response.

Plan to diet. Make sure your scale works properly. Clean out the cupboards and fridge of foods that are too tempting. Schedule your menu for the week, or at least for several days in advance. Include healthy snacks as part of your menu. Stock up on bottled flavored waters that are low or no sodium and no calories. Make a list of what you'll need at the grocery store and shop right after you've eaten. Hungry shoppers buy more than satisfied shoppers. Stick with your list. Don't go back to the grocery store until your next set of menus are ready to go.

Set a goal for your weight loss and interim targets. Be realistic if you want to lose ten pounds it will probably take you two months. Plan to lose two pounds every week. If you're a little short one week, you can add more exercise or cut back on calories a bit the next week. Stock up on fruits and veggies and prepare them in advance. Clean, peel and chop and stash in zip lock bags so you can just grab and go. If you have to eat out, plan in advance what you will order. No bread or butter on the table. Stick with steamed vegetables, salad with dressing on the side, and broiled chicken or fish. If you just have to have that yummy sauce, ask for it on the side. You'll eat less.

Consider enlisting your family in your weight loss program. Most of us are a bit overweight. If you need to lose a few pounds the odds are so does your significant other. Dieting together can be more successful than dieting alone, but don't turn it into a competition.

If others in your family are at their perfect weight or just don't see the need to lose weight, they may not understand the need for less food, less fat, or streamlined meals. Prepare your meal and add an extra dish or two for them, that you don't particularly care for. Another alternative is to prepare a regular meal and you eat half of what you usually would eat.

Snacks and junk food can be a dieter's downfall. Buy your family their favorite can't-live-without-snacks. Keep those snacks in their rooms, laundry room, or their closets. Out of your sight is out of your mouth. Make it clear when those snacks are gone there won't be anymore until the next shopping trip.