Beginning a diet to lose weight and improve health is a worthy goal, but itcan be a bit overwhelming. There are bound to be challenges whenever you startsomething new, especially when it involves something you do several times eachday -- like eating and drinking.

Still, as long as you don't try to change everything at once, you can meetyour weight loss goals. Read on to learn some secrets of the masters -- thosewho have lost weight and, more importantly, kept it off. After all, what goodis losing the extra weight if you gain it right back?

1. Follow a Healthy Eating Plan

A healthy eating plan (like the WebMD Weight Loss Clinic plan) shouldinclude foods you enjoy along with plenty of healthy, not-too-processed foodslike fruits, vegetables, whole grains, low-fat dairy, lean meats, seafood,beans, and nuts. Thanks to their ability to satisfy, these low-calorie foodswill actually help you stick to your diet. The most satisfying foods have lotsof fiber (like fruits, vegetables, whole grains, beans, and nuts) and/orlow-fat protein (found in meat, fish, dairy, and soy).

Ideally, you'll slowly wean yourself off favorite foods that are heavilyprocessed and high in fat or calories, and replace them with more nutritiousoptions. At any time during this process, feel free to come up with a neweating plan that increases some healthful foods and decreases others. It's bestfor WLC members to create a new plan at the end of the week. When you do so,the WLC electronic journal wipes your slate clean.

Don't worry if you are a vegetarian, or have allergies or intolerances. Yourpersonalized WLC eating plan may not include all of the recommended foodgroups, but it will provide adequate nutrients. We recommend that everyone takea daily multivitamin/mineral supplement to fill in any nutritional gaps.

2. Take Baby Steps

Change is hard. Making small, gradual changes in your eating patterns is thebest way to overhaul your diet. Some experts suggest making just one changeeach week, to give you time to get used to the new behavior. Your ultimate goalis to establish new eating habits that can be sustained for a lifetime.

An excellent way to start is to stock your cupboards and refrigerator withhealthy foods, and plan to prepare healthier meals at home. Pick up a newcookbook or cooking magazine specializing in healthy cuisine; post a favoritefamily recipe on the WLC "Recipe Doctor" board for tips on how tolighten it; or try one of the recipes from the Weight Loss Cliniccollection.

3. Set Realistic Goals

Most people who need to lose weight set lofty goals, dreaming of fittinginto clothing sizes that may not be realistic for them. Yet losing as little as5% to 10% of your body weight can improve the way you feel, put a zip in yourstep, and, most importantly, improve your health. Studies show that losing evensmall amounts of weight can improve overall health and, specifically, lowerblood pressure, and blood sugar and cholesterol levels.

Set weight loss goals that are attainable, and keep in mind that therecommended rate of weight loss is only 1-2 pounds per week. Slow and steadywins this race. It takes time to learn new eating habits that will last for therest of your life.