Losing weight is not easy. The simple phrase of "eat less and move more" is not so simple in the real world where food is readily available 24/7, inexpensive, and in such large portions! Our multitasking lives lead to eating on the run, skipping meals, and leaving physical activity at the bottom of the "to-do" list. A recipe for the dreaded "weight creep". We know what to do to lose weight (many of us are walking calorie counters), but can't seem to keep it together for the long term.

    A new study from the Journal of the American Medical Association has shed some light on a motivator supporting a weight loss effort, at least for the short term: money.

    Three groups were given the task of losing 16 pounds in 16 weeks (that's a pound a week - realistic and manageable with moderate effort). One group had no financial motivation and lost an average of 4 pounds in 16 weeks. The other two groups had financial motivation, and lost three times more weight - an average of about 13-14 pounds.

    The big question: could they keep the weight off? Even the financially motivated groups regained some weight in follow up, after the active study was completed (the money phase was done), but weighed less than when they started.

    While many diet studies don't easily translate to our real world lives, this one can. Create your own financial incentive to help stay on track. Set some reasonable goals, and "reward" yourself with a quarter, or a dollar, or whatever amount you choose when meeting your daily goals. These might include a 30 minute walk, 5 daily fruits and vegetables, or sticking to non/low-calories beverages. Establishing your "weight loss account" for a purchase of a special indulgence - like a manicure, massage, cosmetic, running shoes, DVD, or whatever is a treat to you - can both jump start your initial effort, and help keep you on track for the long term.

    How do you stick to your weight loss plan?

    减肥并不是件容易的事。“少吃多动”说起来容易，但在这样一个食物以大份额、低价格大量供应的社会里，要做到这点却不是那么容易。繁忙的生活迫使我们吃得很匆忙随意，有时甚至没时间吃，同时也使得运动被排在了日程表的最后面。这使我们陷入了可怕的“体重攀升”困境。我们知道如何去减轻体重（很多人使用卡路里计数器），但却很难长期坚持。

    美国医协会的期刊上发表的一项新研究发现了一个有助于减肥的因素（至少在短期内有效），那就是“钱”。

    三个小组接到同样一个任务：在16周里减掉16磅（也就是每周减掉一磅—做出适当的努力是合理可行的）。其中一个小组没有金钱奖励作为诱惑，16周里平均每人减掉了4磅，而其他两个小组有金钱奖励诱惑平均每人减掉了13-14磅，是前面那个小组的三倍多。

    这里有一个很重要的问题：他们是否能够一直保持减肥后的体重呢？即使是那些有金钱刺激的受测试者在研究结束（金钱刺激阶段结束）后体重也有所反弹，但还是要比他们刚接受研究测试时要轻。

    很多关于节制饮食的研究要运用于实际生活中并不容易，但上面说的这个方法却是可行的。你可以自己设置一些金钱刺激因素来帮助你坚持减肥。你可以设定一些合理的目标及给自己一些“奖励”，如几毛钱、一美元或任何你认为有助于你达到每日减重目标的数目。你的减肥计划可以包括每日30分钟的步行、5天的纯水果蔬菜餐或坚持饮用无热量或低热量的饮料等。之后你可以将作为刺激因素而省下来的钱拿来好好犒劳自己，如享受修指甲、推拿按摩服务，购买化妆品、跑鞋、DVD或任何你认为可以慰劳自己的东西。这样一来，既可以让你原先作出的努力有所回报，有可以让你的减肥计划能长期坚持下去。

    你将如何坚持自己的减肥计划呢？