5 Secrets to Dieting and Weight Loss

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 67 percent of Americans are overweight. That means that the vast majority of our country should be actively trying to lose weight, for their health and appearance. For those who are trying, it is a struggle trying to lose weight and keep it off. So, what are the secrets to getting out of that 67 percent and staying out? No matter what diet you choose, these 5 secrets can make or break your success.

1. Determination. Do you really want to lose weight? Be honest with yourself. You can't stick to a diet if you're not determined to shed those pounds. Dieting is hard, and you'll have some real mental struggles to overcome in the near future.

2. Willpower. To stick to a diet, you're going to have to change what you're currently doing. It's obviously not working, or you wouldn't be overweight. Can you resist dessert, french fries or whatever your weakness is? You have to want to lose weight more than you want your treats.

3. Dedication. Diets are not short-term. If you fall back on your current eating habits, you'll find your number on the scale back to where it is now. Think long-term eating habits, not quick fixes. These are lifestyle changes, not temporary patches on your habits.

4. Support. You can do it alone, but it is much harder. If you live with someone that has bad eating habits, it will be harder to stick to healthy eating. You can't make someone change, but you can take charge of cooking meals and preparing food if nothing else.

5. Move. It's common knowledge now that exercise is necessary for long-term weight loss and overall health. Yet many dieters try to get away with attacking only their diet, avoiding the exercise. Not only does it burn calories, it also builds muscle so that when you lose weight you don't look like a smaller version of your fat self. No muscle means you won't get rid of your jiggle.

If you want to succeed at losing weight, you have to make lifestyle changes. These secrets lead to successful diets that don't result in rebound weight. If you're unsure about any of the above, wait until you can commit. If you start on a diet without dedication, willpower, support, determination and activity, you're setting yourself up for failure. Work on yourself until you can truly commit to these dieting and weight loss secrets, then the diet will fall into place.