4. Add, Don't Subtract

Try adding foods to your diet instead of subtracting them. Go for healthy goodies like summer-fresh fruit and garden-crisp veggies. And be sure to select things you love, like deep-red cherries or crunchy snow peas.

Then slip those favorite fruits into your bag lunch, your breakfast cereal, and your afternoon snack; add the veggies into stews and sauces, and as a complement to lean meals.

Focus on these delicious additions and you just may find yourself subtracting a junk food standby simply because you're enjoying your new, healthier favorites.

5. Go Walk-About

Writer Carol Schmidt says healthier meals, the support of her partner, and walking were all key factors in her 150-pound weight loss.

Of course "living in a city designed for walking is a great help," says the resident of San Miguel de Allende, Mexico. "When we lived in Phoenix �?we put 40,000 miles a year on the car."

Now instead of driving everywhere, the pair does their shopping on foot, getting in two to seven miles a day. And the car? It's lucky to see a few thousand miles a year.

Even if your city isn't as convenient as San Miguel, try these tips for slipping in more steps:

• Do your shopping locally.
• Trade your power mower for a push version.
• Park your car at the back of the lot.
• Sweep the drive instead of using a leaf-blower.
• Get off the bus a few stops earlier.
• Hike the mall, being sure to hit all the levels.
• Take the stairs every chance you get.
• Enjoy a post-dinner stroll.

6. Tune In, Tone Up

As part of its Go Red for Women campaign, the American Heart Association (AHA) recommends toning up while you tune in to your favorite TV shows.

There are lots of ways to do this, says Nieca Goldberg, MD, AHA spokesperson and chief of women's cardiac care at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York.

"Dance to the music" when you tune in to programs "like American Idol or your favorite music show," says Goldberg, Or get fired (up!) practicing "your cardio boxing while watching The Apprentice."

Slip in a little strength training by lifting sodas instead of drinking them. "Use those cans or bottles as hand weights for bicep curls," says Goldberg. Or do triceps dips from the edge of the couch.

It doesn't matter exactly what you do, so long as you're up and active. Aim for at least 15 minutes, says the AHA. But who knows? If you get really engrossed, you just might outlast the last survivor.

7. Skip a Meal (Out):

It's so tempting to grab a restaurant meal for lunch. But if the maître d' knows your name, you may be packing on more pounds than you realize.

"If someone else was paying, I was going," says LaRose. He was just fine with that until one day a good friend patted his stomach and said, "I see you're gainfully employed."

That's when LaRose realized just how many calories were coming from those high-caliber -- and high-fat -- lunches out. "Now I just say no," he says.

If you can't say no to every business lunch, try saying yes to wiser choices, like grilled chicken, roasted summer vegetables, or an appetizer as an entree.

8. Size Matters

Eating less without feeling denied is as close as your dinnerware.

"A lot of eating is psychological," says Don R. Powell, PhD, president of the American Institute for Preventive Medicine, which provides health and wellness guides to hospitals, insurance agencies, and HMOs.

While a small portion served on a large plate can leave you craving more, a smaller plate gives the visual cue that you already have more.

Basically "you're tricking yourself into being satisfied with less," says Powell. "You simply won't put as much food on a smaller plate."

And don't forget smaller bowls, cups, and spoons. Try savoring a bowl of ice cream with a baby spoon, recommends Powell. Not only does the pleasure last longer, but your body has time to register the food you've eaten.

9. Get Involved

When your weight loss efforts lead to boredom or too much self-focus, get occupied with something else. "When I'm not busy, I eat more than I need," says Florida inventor Kenneth Fry.

His answer: take a break from the magazines and TV shows that so often showcase tempting treats, and get occupied with things that have nothing to do with food.

For some, that might mean becoming involved with local politics, discovering yoga, or enjoying painting. Or maybe you want to help a child with a science project, repaint the bedroom, organize a hike, or take a class.

The key: have a life outside of weight loss.

10. Lose It Today, Keep It Off Tomorrow

Finally, be patient. While cultivating that virtue isn't exactly painless, it may help to know that keeping weight off can be easier than taking it off.

That's the result reported by The National Weight Control Registry. In a study of 784 people who had all lost and kept off at least 30 pounds, nearly half -- 42% -- reported that maintaining their weight loss was easier than the loss itself.

So if you crave the results reported by these successful "losers" -- improved self-confidence, a boost in mood, and better health -- cultivate patience. You may find your way to sweet (and nearly painless) weight loss success.