Diet Tip: Own an Accurate Digital Scale

Whether you have a goal weight in mind or are working hard to maintain your current weight, you need a way to monitor your progress. Looking at yourself in the mirror or seeing how your clothes fit works for some people, but weighing yourself on a scale is much more precise with no room for exaggeration. The scale can't lie, but fabric can definitely stretch.

So if you don't already own one, spring for an accurate, digital scale like this one from Tanita ($80). I like this scale because it displays both your current weight and your weight from the previous time you stepped on the scale. Statistics show that people who weigh themselves regularly (either weekly or daily), lose more weight and prevent weight gain more successfully than those who don't weigh themselves. You don't have to spend this much money, but make sure you don't skimp either. You can think of it as an investment in your new lifestyle.