Weight Loss Tips From Real Women

Everyone has their favorite weight loss tips. Here's a handful of diet suggestions from real women who claim they really work.

I drink a full 12 ounce glass of water before I sit down to eat. It fills me up and I don't eat as much at meals. - Monica, 22

My secret weapon is sugarless gum. Whenever I have the urge for a snack or something sweet, I pop it into my mouth and start chewing. Works like a charm every time. -Maddi, 43

Knitting works wonders. I used to snack like a pig while I watched T.V. at night. Since I started knitting, I've lost almost ten pounds, and I know it's because my hands are too busy to pop stuff in my mouth. -Liz, 25

It tastes horrible, but it really works. My grandmother told me to take one teaspoon of cider vinegar before every meal to eat up the fats. - Diane, 21

Peer support! There's nothing like feeling guilty for letting your friends down to make you get out and go exercise. I make dates to play tennis or go for a walk - no backing out when someone else is counting on me. -Cara, 22

All right, this is going to sound really silly but - when I have to lose weight, I only eat foods that I can eat with chopsticks. I'm not very good with them so -- I don't eat a lot. -Lisa, 32

When I'm sitting in traffic or at my desk, I do tummy tightening exercises. Just pull in your tummy, hold for a count of 20, and release. Do that about twenty times and you can really feel it. - Sheila, 52

Water. I drink lots and lots of water when I'm on a diet. It helps flush out the system and keeps me feeling fresh. It also helps with the bad breath I get when I'm on a high protein diet. - Dena, 34

I'm always rushing out the door and forgetting breakfast, and then I end up snacking at my desk halfway through the morning. Now I keep a box of Carnation Instant Breakfast in the break room, and fix myself one as soon as I get to work. No more craving goodies at 11 am. -Deb, 45

When I'm dieting, I keep fresh fruits and veggies all cut up and ready to go in little snack containers. If I went to all the work of making them, I'll eat them instead of grabbing a bag of chips on the go. -Amy, 16

I strip down naked and look at myself in the mirror at least once a week. It's easy to see the progress I made, and how much I still need to go. Vinnie, 34

I buy myself something really slinky and hang it where I can see it every day. The trick is that it can only be about one size too small - if it's any smaller than that, I just give up. But if the goal is just “that” close, it's a real motivator. -Shanae, 24

Got a favorite diet tip? Make your own list, or ask your friends to fill in a few. The more strategies you have to help you stay on your diet, the more likely you are to be successful.