Jan 6, 2009 12:00 pm US/Eastern
Magazines To Highlight Weight Loss Success Stories
NEW YORK (CBS) ―
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The top New Year's resolution is losing weight and by now you may already be struggling to keep it.
AP
The top New Year's resolution is losing weight and by now you may already be struggling to keep it.
But it can be done. Successful dieters have offered tips plus secret strategies to dropping up to eight pounds a month.
Good Housekeeping magazine recently photographed some women who could easily be mistaken for models. The truth is they were noticed because of their amazing body transformations.
"I needed to start making a change in my lifestyle," said Amy Conklin told CBS station WCBS-TV, who lost 34 pounds in five months.
Like so many women, they've tried just about everything. So what got them to their weight goal this time?
"A mental makeover of how I felt about myself," Conklin said.
Determination helped Conklin shed the pounds, but that's not all. She also started and stuck to Weight Watchers' online program.
"She was able to log in daily and record her food intake and also visit online message boards to get support," Good Housekeeping fitness editor Sarah Burns said.
And she didn't deny herself. After dinner each night Conklin would treat herself to a low-calorie ice cream bar -- a strategy diet Burns says works well.
"It's her little signal that she's done for the rest of the night," Burns said.
Jane Reeder lost 120 pounds! The key to her success? She weighed her food.
"It was pretty astounding to see the correct portions for someone of my age and then compare that to what I use to be eating," Reeder said.
One easy way to practice portion control...
"Take about half of your portion put it on your bread plate and ask the waiter to wrap it up before you even start eating," Self Magazine diet and nutrition editor Erin Hobday said.
Hobday said combine these diet strategies with an exercise routine and lose up to eight pounds in one month.
"Your diet and fitness need to go hand in hand," Hobday said.
Another great tip to keep you on track all week long is to make your meals on the weekends and then freeze them so you have what you need when you don't have much time to cook and are more prone to grabbing bad food on the go.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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