There is no cookie cutter program that will work for every single dieter. Anyone who tells you that they have the one and only plan that will make every person reach their goal weight is either wrong or is not telling the truth. We all lose weight differently and our lives involve a number of different unique combinations of factors that require each of us to have to find the type of dieting program that works for our own unique needs.

That said, there are some tips out there that can help to speed things along, no matter what specific program, plan, or strategy we happen to be following. While none of these are the whole solution to weight loss, unto themselves, they can help to enhance the results that we’re already getting through other means to reach that goal weight faster.

Some of the better ones include the following:

1. Track your efforts – using an online journal to track your nutrition (that is, the foods you eat) and fitness (that is, your exercises and workouts) can be an incredibly enlightening process. Not only will it give you a much more clear idea of what you’re eating and how much you truly are active, but it also provides meaningful motivation to keep up your positive efforts.
2. Daily calories – even if you’re not on a calorie counting diet, try paying attention to the calories in your foods for a while, just to get an understanding of what they contain. Calories certainly aren’t the be all and end all of being able to lose weight, but when it all comes down to it, they play an important role. By knowing which foods are higher and lower in calories, it will help you to make some more informed and more effective eating decisions.
3. Measure – while you’re counting calories, carbs, proteins, fats, and other types of nutrition, don’t just guess at how much you’re eating. Whenever possible, actually measure your foods. Use measuring cups and spoons, and use a food scale. Keep them all on hand so that they are easily accessible. That way, you’ll know exactly how much a portion really is and you’ll know just how much you’re taking into your body.
4. Don’t skip meals – the worst thing that you can do for your metabolism and weight loss is skip meals. You’re not only far more likely to overeat at other times in the day, but you’ll slow your metabolism down so that when you do overeat, it will have an even bigger impact than it usually would, making it harder to reach your goal weight.