Basics 15 Easy Weight Loss Tips for Beginners By Jennifer R. Scott Jennifer R. Scott is a weight loss writer. She designed her own successful weight loss plan, which helped her safely lose 50 pounds in about a year. Learn about our editorial process Jennifer R. Scott Reviewed by Reviewed by Mia Syn, MS, RDN on October 29, 2020 instagram Mia Syn, MS, RDN is a registered dietitian nutritionist with a master of science in human nutrition. She is also the host of Good Food Friday on ABC News 4. Learn about our Review Board Mia Syn, MS, RDN Updated on November 06, 2020 Print AfricaImages / Getty Images Are you starting a new diet? If so, you want to get your weight loss facts straight so that the process doesn't take longer than it needs to. These are the weight loss tips for beginners that will help newbies (and seasoned dieters) slim down successfully and keep the pounds off for good 1. Weight Is More Than Appearance Your weight affects you in many ways other than your appearance. Your weight can also affect your quality of life, self-esteem, your health, your mental well-being and your ability to carry out certain physical tasks. Reaching a healthy weight is worth your time and effort. 2. Get a Check-up You should see a doctor for a physical before you start a diet. Your doctor can tell you how your health may improve with weight loss and if there are any special medical concerns that you need to consider when you choose a diet and exercise program. Questions to Ask Your Doctor About Losing Weight 3. Ask Yourself Questions You should ask yourself certain questions before you begin a diet. You should know why you want to lose weight, if you are ready for a long-term commitment to healthy eating and exercise and if you have good social support systems in place. 4. Be Ready for Permanent Change To lose weight effectively, you will have to permanently change four aspects of your life: what you eat, how you eat, your social behavior and your activity level. You should be ready for real change in your life. 5. Avoid Weight Loss Scams You should have reasonable expectations. Don't fall victim to weight loss scams that promise major weight loss in a short period of time. Most of these products may work in the short term but are not proven to be sustainable. 6. Make Small Goals Small goals are more likely to keep you motivated and focused. Try to decrease your calorie intake by 3500 calories per week to lose one pound per week. 7. Choose a Diet You Will Enjoy You won’t stick to a diet that is comprised of foods you do not like. So choose your weight loss plan carefully. And then fill your kitchen with diet-friendly but satisfying foods. 8. Commit to the Time Needed Before you start your diet, ask yourself how long you can maintain the eating and exercise plan. If you can’t imagine staying on a particular plan until you reach your goal weight, try something else. 9. Avoid the Yo-Yo Going on and off the same diet plan, again and again, leads to yo-yo dieting. Yo-yo dieters have a harder time keeping weight off for the long-term. It's smarter to diet once, rather than going on and off weight loss plans repeatedly. 10. Address Your Stress You need to plan alternative strategies to cope with emotional eating. Many people with weight issues have the habit of eating in response to emotions and stress. If you don't address emotional eating, your diet isn't likely to be successful. 11. Know the Health Risks of Being Overweight The dangers of being overweight are real. Being obese can carry life-threatening health risks. When your motivation starts to dip, keep this in mind to keep yourself on track. 12. Set a Realistic Goal Weight Your ultimate goal should be a realistic one. Some of us will never fit into that wedding or prom dress again. Our bodies change with time. Settle for a weight that is healthy for you at your current stage in life, not 15 years ago. 13. Choose Moderation Some popular diets don't work. Weight loss programs that prohibit entire food groups or restrict calories too severely can lead to uncontrollable cravings and binge eating. Moderation is the key. 14. Don't Weigh Too Often Your weight will fluctuate from day to day. Resist the urge to weigh yourself on a daily basis. Weighing yourself too often may discourage you. Weigh yourself at the same time of day once a week. 15. Appreciate That It Will Take Discipline Losing weight isn't easy. There is no magic pill or quick fix for long-term, healthy weight loss. It’s going to take a lot of discipline and hard work. But just because something is difficult, it’s not impossible. The fact is...you can do it! Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Looking to lose weight? Our nutrition guide can help you get on the right track. Sign up for our newsletter and get it free! Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit Article Sources Verywell Fit uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Rand K, Vallis M, Aston M, et al. "It is not the diet; it is the mental part we need help with." A multilevel analysis of psychological, emotional, and social well-being in obesity. Int J Qual Stud Health Well-being. 2017;12(1):1306421. doi:10.1080/17482631.2017.1306421 Institute of Medicine (US) Subcommittee on Military Weight Management. Weight Management: State of the Science and Opportunities for Military Programs. Weight-loss and maintenance strategies. Washington, DC: National Academies Press; 2004. Pétré B, Scheen A, Ziegler O, et al. 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