5 Tips to Lose Weight and Keep It Off

5 Tips to Lose Weight and Keep It Off (ABC News)

There are few things people do for their health that are harder than losing weight and keeping the weight off. In this week's Tweet Chat, we looked for advice from the experts as well as the general public on how to set yourself up for success.

Join me for a Tweet Chat every Tuesday at 1 p.m. ET by logging into Twitter and using #abcDrBchat. Follow the conversation or jump in with comments and questions of your own.

Here are the top tweeted weight loss tips:

Tip 1: Ditch the Soda

"It takes 3 miles brisk walking to burn off calories from 20 oz. soda," tweeted New York City Health Commissioner Dr. Tom Farley. "Easier to avoid soda."

"Cutting out all sodas in 2009 is one of the best things I've ever done for my body," tweeted Kenlie @AllTheWeigh. "I dropped weight too."

Tip 2: Start Small

Make small changes you can live with and then build on that feeling of success.

"Make small consistent improvements to your diet," tweeted Dr. Cedric Bryant, chief science officer for the American Council on Exercise. "Better long-term success than radical, wholesale changes."

Tip 3: Write It Down

Keeping a food journal will help you become aware of what and when you are eating. You may be amazed at what you find.

"Never underestimate the power of food journaling," tweeted Marjorie Nolan Cohn, a registered dietitian and spokeswoman for the Academy on Nutrition and Dietetics. "It's one of the most tried and true weight loss strategies."

Tip 4: Have a Healthy Stash

Keep your pantry and refrigerator stocked with healthy food. If you get the junk food out of the house, you will have fewer opportunities to eat those empty calories.

"A terrific route to a healthy diet is to fill up on healthy foods, squeezing out the junk," tweeted Dr. Michael Jacobson of the Center for Science in the Public Interest.

Tip 5: Add Movement to the Mix

While changing your diet is most important, exercise can help.

"For adults, key to keeping weight off is daily exercise," tweeted Dr. Elizabeth Neary, a pediatrician in Madison, Wis. "Look for opportunities. Take the stairs whenever you get the chance."

Click here for a full transcript of Tuesday's Tweet Chat.