Weightloss Tips From Successful Dieters

Never let a night at the buffet be the end of your diet. Jump back on the wagon and tell yourself it's okay to have a treat every now and then.

Don't deprive yourself of any treats that you love. Instead, learn to eat low-cal, low-fat versions of them, or enjoy them in moderation.

Get a support network. Tell people you're dieting and that you need their help to stay focused on the goal of exercising and eating right.

Find someone to exercise with ... anybody — your spouse, a friend, a trainer (if you can afford one), the dog. It's much more fun and more motivating to exercise with another person.

Make a realistic game plan. Don't expect to drop five sizes and 40 pounds in one month. It's not realistic, and it's not healthy.

Don't keep junk food around the house. This unhealthy stuff inhabits the center aisles of the grocery store. When grocery shopping, keep to the outer aisles where fish, chicken, fruits and veggies live.

Keep healthy snacks ready to go in case you feel the munchies coming on. Peel carrots, wash grapes, cook some chicken breasts, and munch on those when the urge arises.

Don't overdo the exercise. Work into your routine slowly so that you don't hurt yourself or fatigue your muscles to the point where you can't exercise for a few days.

You don't need a gym membership to get into shape. You can do cardio indoors or out. Jump rope, walk the dog, or swim in a pool. For weight training, buy inexpensive hand weights. It's important to weight train because this is what tones and tightens. Plus, muscle burns calories. Fat just wants you to feed it more junk.

Dieting should be as fun as possible. People will begin to notice your accomplishments, and that will really fuel your fire. Be proud of every little milestone, and brag, share and shout from the mountaintops to anyone who will listen, because this is what will keep you going.

Weigh yourself every day. It's a gentle reminder, as long as you keep your expectations realistic.

Don't expect a quick weight loss. Slow and steady is the way to go. It took me years to put the weight on. Just know the reward is a lifetime of looking good.

Don't beat yourself up if you have a bad day and pig out. The emphasis should be on developing healthy long-range eating habits.

Don't eliminate foods. Just reduce your intake of your food vices. After all, some bad is good!

Have a great support system in place. Without the support of my wife, kids, relatives, peers, etc., it would have been a lot tougher when I felt like giving up.

Make time to exercise! I used to spend all my time doing something for others. Do yourself a big favor: Be a "little" selfish and EXERCISE.

Realize that good eating and exercise are habits that can be learned. Do both often and enough and they will become a habit — not something you have to force yourself to do.

Believe that old dogs can learn new tricks! Hey, even this old guy did. It's never too late. Get started today!

Believe in yourself, and turn that belief into action. And guess what? You will succeed. Sounds like a commercial, but it's true!

Don't weigh yourself daily. You will only get frustrated and drive yourself crazy.

Stay away from fried foods. Those will kick your butt the most.

Eat five to six meals a day. Healthy snacks between breakfast, lunch and dinner will keep your metabolism working 24/7.

Eat more carbs in the morning and afternoon for energy, and more protein at night.

Try to do cardio exercises five times a week and weight training at least twice a week.

Workouts can become repetitive, so have fun. Be creative. Do all kinds of exercise for at least 40 minutes.

Don't starve yourself. You may think that helps in the short term, but in the long-term, you're only hurting yourself.

Maintain a slow and steady weight loss. That's key. Think one to two pounds a week. That's the healthy way to lose weight. (Do the math: 2 pounds a week x 8 weeks = a 16-pound weight loss).

Stick to a healthy diet and exercise plan. If you do, you will feel great about yourself.

Don't be too hard on yourself. You will makes mistakes. Don't quit, keep working hard and enjoy life, but in moderation!