Research shows that we don’t get the same variety from what we drink as we do from what we eat. That means, if we drink more calories, we aren’t cutting back on the foods we eat. Did you have a fruit and yogurt smoothie with breakfast today instead of your usual cup of tea? If you did, change up the rest of your breakfast routine to compensate. A soda with dinner? That's 140 empty calories that need to be cut from somewhere else.

Summer may be winding down but it’s not too late to register for a local 5K race for extra exercise motivation. Maybe this is the year to sign your whole family up for a turkey trot on Thanksgiving morning! Check out Running in the USA to find dates and information on runs or run/walks in your area. You can sort by location, race length and date.

When writing down what you eat and drink, don’t forget condiments. If you’re getting more calories than you anticipated from foods like mayonnaise, ketchup and salad dressing, try using less, going with a reduced-fat or reduced-calorie version or switching to a different topping with fewer calories.

"When I was dieting, I ate a lot of cabbage and onions, sliced as thin as possible, plus carrots sliced with a peeler (to get very thin slices). I'd sauté them all together in as little oil as possible and add salt and pepper to taste. I loved this dish...I would like to know if anyone else likes this dish?"
—wickerchair, Comfort Food Diet Forum