Solid weight loss advice from Runner's World on the 10 rules of weight loss.

I have a couple more rules I'd add:

1. Keep a food journal. Write down everything you eat. I've also read that it's good to record the time you ate and what your emotions were like, etc. I don't have enough time or patience for that. I just write down what I ate. Why? It makes you accountable...if only to yourself. It's easy to mindlessly eat throughout the day -- a couple of Hershey Kisses here, a handful of pretzels there and it all adds up. When you have to record it all...you can see how quickly it can all add up.

2. Don't weight yourself more than once a week. I have a love-hate relationship with the scale. If it's low, I think...mmm....good, I'm SO ordering Chinese tonight. If it's high, I think...damn...I'm SO not eating anything at the party tonight. Either way, it's not good. Stay off the scale -- it just messes with your mind. You'll know how if your losing or gaining weight by how your clothes fit.

3. Acknowledge that you — and you alone — are responsible for the food and fuel you give your body. You are in control.

4. Love your body the way it is now. Losing weight does not make everything in your life good and right. It's not the answer to all your problems and worries. Loving yourself is.