Losing weight and keeping it off are two very similar concepts but they can require some rather different mindsets, depending on how you typically think of dieting. The reason is that when you want long-term results, the idea of trying to stick to a specific program might help you to drop the pounds in the first place, but it’s not likely something that you will want to do for the rest of your life.

Therefore, you need to think in different terms to be able to continue to maintain from now on. This can seem like a daunting undertaking, particularly if the changes you need to make to your lifestyle are likely to be sizeable ones. However, if you use the right steps to create a long term weight loss plan, this can become a great deal more achievable. Consider the following to help get yourself started:

• Measure and track – Use tools such as a fitness tracker or an online fitness and nutrition journal to keep a record of what you’re eating and how you’re exercising. By tracking yourself, you remain continually aware of your progress, of the areas in which you’re excelling and those in which you’re struggling. By being aware of these strengths and weaknesses, you can make the right changes and corrections to always improve your lifestyle strategy and make it more efficient while still being enjoyable.

• Keep a journal – Research has shown that by keeping a journal of the way you’re feeling in a day, you’ll become more aware of emotional trends that can lead to eating behavior changes.

• Practice mindful eating – Pay attention when you’re eating. Don’t just grab food for the purpose of feeding yourself. Remain mentally present throughout the entire physical experience of your meals. Pay attention to each bite. Chew your food while detecting its textures and various flavors. This will slow your pace of eating, will allow you to savor your meal and will help you to feel satisfied by a smaller amount of food.

• Eat breakfast – Have a simple, nutritious breakfast every morning. This can mean a bowl of steel cut oats with fresh berries (cook large batches of the oats, portion it out in the fridge and/or freezer and reheat it so you’re not cooking steel cut oats for a half hour every morning). It could also mean a boiled or poached egg and a piece of multigrain toast with fruit. Either way, make sure it is not complicated, but that it is flavorful and nutritious and that it is a decent portion to get you through the morning.