Some turning to smart phones to help shed unwanted pounds
SEATTLE -- It's one of the top new year's resolutions: to go on a diet. Unfortunately, most people who try to shed the pounds wind up losing their battle with the bulges, but there are ways to increase your chances of success.
Starting a diet is relatively easy and almost any diet plan will help you lose at least a few pounds. The hard part finding a diet that works in the long-run you can live with to keep the pounds off.
Sarah LaFleur says she's really changed her eating habits, and it's paid off. She's lost 65 pounds in the last three years. The key to her weight loss, she says, is using a free online app called "Lose it" to track her calories.
"I wanted something that was easy, something that I could use on the go - something that I could do quickly," she said.
The app lets LaFleur count calories anywhere on her smart phone.
And she's not alone, according to the Consumer Reports National Research Center. A just-released survey of online subscribers found many people are using online tools to track their diet, including Weight Watchers online and free sites like MyFitnessPal and SparkPeople.
"Our surveys have shown that counting calories is linked to losing weight and keeping it off," said Elissa Schuler-Adair with Consumer Reports.
Like LaFleur, respondents to this latest survey relied on tried-and-true strategies to meet their weight-loss goals, like eating more fruits and veggies.
"I think the biggest change was the portion size," she said.
Also drinking more water and cutting back on sugar.
And the poll shows many people used positive thinking to keep themselves on track.
"Thinking about how much progress you've made so far was one of the better techniques for sticking with your diet," Schuler-Adair said.
And of course, exercise helps.
When Sarah noticed her weight starting to plateau, she grabbed her running shoes.
"I'm a half-marathoner now," she said.
She's determined to lose more weight and that will to succeed is critical.
The most popular diets in the Consumer Reports' poll were Weight Watchers and Weight Watchers online. but you don't necessarily need a plan. Sixth-nine percent of those surveyed followed their own diet and exercise regimen.
Starting a diet is relatively easy and almost any diet plan will help you lose at least a few pounds. The hard part finding a diet that works in the long-run you can live with to keep the pounds off.
Sarah LaFleur says she's really changed her eating habits, and it's paid off. She's lost 65 pounds in the last three years. The key to her weight loss, she says, is using a free online app called "Lose it" to track her calories.
"I wanted something that was easy, something that I could use on the go - something that I could do quickly," she said.
The app lets LaFleur count calories anywhere on her smart phone.
And she's not alone, according to the Consumer Reports National Research Center. A just-released survey of online subscribers found many people are using online tools to track their diet, including Weight Watchers online and free sites like MyFitnessPal and SparkPeople.
"Our surveys have shown that counting calories is linked to losing weight and keeping it off," said Elissa Schuler-Adair with Consumer Reports.
Like LaFleur, respondents to this latest survey relied on tried-and-true strategies to meet their weight-loss goals, like eating more fruits and veggies.
"I think the biggest change was the portion size," she said.
Also drinking more water and cutting back on sugar.
And the poll shows many people used positive thinking to keep themselves on track.
"Thinking about how much progress you've made so far was one of the better techniques for sticking with your diet," Schuler-Adair said.
And of course, exercise helps.
When Sarah noticed her weight starting to plateau, she grabbed her running shoes.
"I'm a half-marathoner now," she said.
She's determined to lose more weight and that will to succeed is critical.
The most popular diets in the Consumer Reports' poll were Weight Watchers and Weight Watchers online. but you don't necessarily need a plan. Sixth-nine percent of those surveyed followed their own diet and exercise regimen.
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