Eat high-fiber foods. Foods high in fiber help fill the stomach so you feel full sooner and longer after eating. Plus, fiber helps keep your blood sugar on an even keel so you don’t feel hungry all the time, and it even helps eliminate calories from foods you’ve already eaten.

Set realistic goals. Before you begin, be honest with yourself about how much weight you want to lose. While dropping 5 sizes in 5 weeks is unlikely (not to mention unhealthy), a goal of 5 pounds a month is more realistic. Work on changing your mindset, and celebrate small accomplishments. Focus simply on living healthier, and the weight loss will follow.

Don’t deprive yourself. A sensible diet is all about moderation, not elimination. That means if you want a cookie, eat a cookie. If you’re craving French fries, have a few French fries. As long as you’ve made a lifelong commitment to weight loss and healthy living, the occasional treat isn’t going to thwart your weight loss efforts.

Get active. Regular exercise is essential for successful weight loss, but take heart—mending those couch-potato ways isn’t always as difficult as it seems. Start small (maybe 10 minutes each day) and work your way up. Experts recommend 30 minutes of aerobic exercise at least three times weekly, so get out there and get active!

Drink plenty of water. The more water you drink, the more your metabolism increases, and the faster your body will burn calories. Try to drink at least half your body weight in ounces of purified water every day.