To be successful losing weight, you can't beat yourself up when you break down and splurge one day, or don't end up getting the exercise in you'd planned, or lose the weight you wanted to in a week. Cooking Light Diet member Nicole Kessler says that not getting frustrated by slower weight loss is key. "When I first started I only weighed myself once every 10-14 days. I used to be able to lose weight very quickly, but now that I am older, it is much slower. I knew that it would frustrate me to step on the scale after feeling so hungry and not seeing rapid results. ...[Just] make sure to be loving to yourself-patient and forgiving." Because the road to a healthier lifestyle isn't as smooth as glass, it's bumpy and full of potholes. Just don't give up the journey when you hit a pothole. You've got this!

It helps to visualize what you eat and do day-to-day so you have a better understanding of what works on your journey. Carmen Leon says keeping a record of her meals has been enlightening. "I find that meal planning is everything...[and] I also keep a food diary. I write down everything I eat, my exercise for the day...this has helped me so much as well."

BE SELF-AWARE.

Know your limitations, your weaknesses, your pitfalls… Community member Elyssia Marshall Mathias says this is vital. "That was key: Being honest with yourself and realizing which foods are without brakes. Then don't buy it." Mathias says that no matter how well she does, she knows she can't buy "Cheetos, potato chips, Mayfield Moose Tracks ice cream, peanut butter cookies, etc."...so she doesn't. You know yourself better than anyone, so know which foods are nonstarters on your healthier lifestyle journey.

HAVE A SUPPORT GROUP IN PLACE.

Anne Ritchie says that having support and encouragement from others trying to reach weight loss goals has been paramount to her own success. "The thing that helped me the most in my weight loss journey is this wonderfully supportive group of people.