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Consumer Reports Finds Ways To Stick To Your Diet

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) - Many people make a resolution in the new year to diet and lose weight

Starting a diet is relatively easy. The hard part is sticking to it. Consumer Reports just polled more than 3,000 of its subscribers on losing weight to see just what they're doing to stay on target.

Sarah LaFleur said she's really changed her eating habits, and it's paid off.

She's lost 65 pounds in the last three years.

"I wanted something that was easy, something that I could use on the go, something that I could do quickly," LaFleur said.

The app lets LaFleur count calories anywhere on her smart phone.

She is not alone either, according to the Consumer Reports National Research Center.

A just-released survey of online subscribers found many people are using online tools to track their diet, including Weight Watchers Online and free sites like MyFitnessPal and SparkPeople.

"Our surveys have shown that counting calories is linked to losing weight and keeping it off." Elissa Schuler-Adair with Consumer Reports said.

Like LaFleur, respondents to this latest survey relied on tried-and-true strategies to meet their weight-loss goals, like eating more fruits and veggies.

"I think the biggest change was the portion size," LaFleur said.

Also drinking more water and cutting back on sugar.

The poll shows many people used positive thinking to keep themselves on track.

"Thinking about how much progress you've made so far was one of the better techniques for sticking with your diet," Schuler-Adair said.

Of course, exercise helps too. When LaFleur noticed her weight starting to plateau, she grabbed her running shoes.

"I'm a half-marathoner now," LaFleur said.

She's determined to lose more weight as well.

Weight Watchers and Weight Watchers Online were the most popular commercial diet plans in Consumer Reports' poll, but you don't necessarily need a plan.

In fact, 69 percent of those surveyed followed their own diet and exercise regimen.

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