Losing weight is hard. But Keeping it off-that’s the real challenge. You can do it; the key to success is making a committal to change your habits and mentally preparing yourself for a healthier life-style.

These 5 steps can get you on the right track- and assist you stay there. “For the first 3 months, these changes may feeling new and uncomfortable,” says  Donald Dr.Hensrud, M.D., and associate professor of preventive medicine and nutrition at Mayo Medical School. “But don’t worry, they’ll soon become habit.”

1. Think long.

“A lot of people view a diet as something one endures for a specific time period,” says Dr.Hensrud. “But after you’ve reached your goal weight, you have to maintain a healthy eating plan forever.”

You don’t have to be too strict about it, though; most successful maintainers actually stop counting calories once they’ve dropped the weight, according to psychologist James McClernan, Ed.D., a behavior-modification specialist, professor at Northern Arizona University. Instead, they keep a mental check on their fat intake by eating lots of vegetables and whole grains. If you’re sick of the usual low-fat fare, keep your taste buds interested by exploring unfamiliar healthy cuisines like Thai, Vietnamese and Japanese.

2. Go easy on yourself.

Don’t automatically throw in the towel just because you slipped and ate a sundae built for two. Deciding that you’ve already blown the day only encourages self-defeating behavior. “The next thing you know, you’ll overeat the rest of the day and maybe even the next morning,” says Dr.Hensrud. Brush off the indiscretion, and resolve to eat more healthfully at the next meal.

3. Get Connected-to yourself.

Emotional eating is often a significant factor in weight gain; keeping a close watch on how certain feelings affect you desire to hit the fridge can help prevent recurrent slipups. A food diary may be useful, too, says Dr.Hensrud. “It will enable you to see which situations or emotions trigger you to eat, so you can avoid problematic behavior patterns.”

4. Love your workout.

“People who are most successful at sustaining weight loss exercise about an hour a day,” says Dr.Hensrud. To help make fitness a permanent part of your life, choose activities that you enjoy for reasons beyond the calorie burn. Take yoga to reduce stress. Try a martial arts class and learn a few self-defense techniques.

Run a 5K for the sense of accomplishment.

5. Ask for support from one close friend, your spouse or a family member.

The danger of employing everyone you know to help keep you on track lies in the loss of control. Eventually, you’ll tire of friends asking if you’re allowed to eat this or that, and you may even rebel against the intrusion by overeating. Minimize the pressure by choosing just one special person in whom to confide about your weight maintenance program. “It helps if he or she is also involved in a personal quest, so you can support each other,” says McClernan.