If you’re looking for weight loss inspiration, why not check out some of the best advice from real women who have successfully lost weight? If they can do it, you can too! These tips can work for anyone, regardless of how much weight they have to lose!

1) Keep a food journal – This can really help with accountability and prepare yourself for some parts of the day when your cravings are strongest.

2) Start an online weight loss blog – This is one of the best tools for accountability. You’ll find you’re not alone in your weight loss efforts, and you’ll get great support.

3) Brush your teeth after every meal. As soon as you are satisfied and have finished eating, make a pact with yourself to brush your teeth. This will take the taste of the food out of your mouth and keep you from going back for seconds in thirds.

4) Chew gum. Chewing sugarless gum can make you hungry, but after a meal it can help in the same way as brushing your teeth to get the taste of food out of your mouth.

5) Stay hydrated. This is one of the most popular weight loss tips, but staying hydrated will prevent dehydration that can sometimes be related to hunger.

6) Eat protein. Protein-packed meals are one of the best ways to stay full longer and satisfy your cravings. Meals that are based solely on sugar or simple carbohydrates will leave you with more cravings and less energy to get you through the day.

7) Be prepared. Set aside some time once a week to plan meals for the coming week. Take time each night to prepare food for the next day. Take a look at your schedule and come up with solutions ahead of time for lunches and dinners, this will give you a game plan to follow.

8) Stop dieting. I know this may sound confusing, but how many times have you started a diet program on Monday morning only to end up stuffing your face with cupcakes at 3pm? When we start putting limits on what we can eat, it only makes us want to eat them more. Don’t put limits on what you eat as much as how much you’re eating.

9) Talk to yourself. Sometimes we eat out of boredom, depression, or stress. Be prepared for these things to happen and find ways to beat mindless eating. If you find yourself heading to the pantry or fridge when you’re not hungry, consider putting little notes in those areas letting you know “this too shall pass.”

10) Keep lists. Make a list of all the things you could do instead of mindlessly eating. Instead of pulling out a bag of chips and camping out in front of the TV, make a list of 20 to 50 things you could be doing.

11) Visualize. Imagine how you will feel when you reach your weight loss goal. Write down how good you will feel and start feeling that way right now. Imagine that your goal is just around the corner.

12) Plant seeds. Remember that anything you want to achieve within a month must be worked on every day until then. If you keep waiting for tomorrow to make changes, that day may never come.

13) Rewards. Make a pact with your spouse or a close friend to hold yourself accountable by holding on to something you really want until you reach your goal.

14) Dessert. Eating dessert once in a while will prevent you from bingeing all at once out of frustration. Find ways to make your favorite desserts in individual servings or promise yourself one really good dessert a week.

15) Move. Going to the gym may seem daunting, but finding ways to burn calories while doing something you love can be the best way to lose weight. Dance in your living room to your favorite songs, join a kick boxing class, or play a sport you’ve never tried.

16) Be friendly. Find a friend to be responsible to. It’s better to find a responsible friend who encourages success than to find pleasure in being “bad” together. Choose your fitness partner wisely.

17) Eat less. This goes without saying, but the next time you’re at a restaurant and want to order your favorite entree, go ahead. However, have a salad before your food arrives and then look at your plate for a minute or two before you start eating. Start dividing your food into portions and set the rest aside. Order a to-go box for the rest of your meal, or just cover the rest with your napkin to signal to your brain that you’re done eating. Drink plenty of water while you eat.

18) Stay in a no-fault zone. If you enjoy baking desserts, consider keeping sugar and ingredients out of the house or hidden for special occasion baking. Keep your house clean of trigger foods.

19) Weighing. Weighing ourselves can often make us lose control. Both weight gain and weight loss can make us want to binge on our favorite comfort foods. Keep the scale hidden and limit weigh-ins to once a week or once every two weeks.

20) Believe in yourself. Even if you have regained weight or prevented yourself from reaching your goals countless times in the past, know that what happens is entirely up to you and within your control. You can lose weight!