Having trouble maintaining your weight loss? Phone a friend -- or better yet, a counselor, says one recent study. Reports detailed in this article showed that of 200 obese women who lost weight through a diet program, those who participated in telephone or counseling kept the weight off for longer than those who went at it alone. These findings are exciting for researchers because telephone counseling is more cost-effective than traditional counseling.

Still can't afford the cost of phone counseling? Create your own support group of friends, or even just one friend who knows your goals and weaknesses. When you feel the urge to binge on something you know you shouldn't, when you need the motivation to get your butt to the gym, when you just need someone to talk out your feelings with, have someone on speed dial. And be sure to return the favour.