If you want to lose weight, start with a little bit of common sense. Do your research. Talk to your health care practitioner. And when you are ready to choose the right diet products, make sure they’re made with safe, effective natural ingredients that won’t hinder your weight loss efforts or be harmful to your health. In addition to choosing the right diet products, try making the small but simple changes in your diet and lifestyle that can make a big difference when it comes to losing weight and keeping it off.

Adding more fiber to your diet and cutting back on unnecessary calories during the day are good ways to start, and you can do both at the same time. Research proves that foods high in fiber are also high-energy-density foods. That means they pack a large volume of food into a low-calorie package, so your stomach feels full faster and longer after eating. The result? You’re less tempted to overeat or snack in between meals. In addition, fiber helps prevent those drastic spikes in blood sugar that can leave you feeling starved and fatigued.

So when it comes to choosing the best diet products, remember these helpful tips: Do your homework. Read labels. And jumpstart your weight loss success even more by following a high-fiber, low-calorie diet.

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.