The Most Critical Skill for Weight Loss

What do you think it takes to lose weight? A super-expensive gym membership? Maybe a nutritionist to walk you through a new diet plan? Both are undeniably helpful, but the real secret to slimming down is something you possess inside: the ability to resist temptation, according to a new British and Australian study.

The researchers recruited 115 dieting women who were either overweight or obese, then checked in on their weight-loss progress three months later. They also measured the women's level of motivation, confidence that they could stick to a diet, and their ability to cope with factors that might undermine their weight loss (such as holidays, weekends, their period, or a bad mood). 

MORE: Lose up to 30 Pounds in 30 Days by exercising once a WEEK!

Of all these factors, only the last one—the ability to stay on track even when circumstances tempted the women to do otherwise—predicted weight loss. A second study, over a period of six months, replicated this finding.

So why is a refusal to cheat, even when you really want to, more critical than motivation or stick-to-itiveness? The scientists suggest that this skill is most strongly tied to the day-to-day struggle of dieting, with the near-constant temptation to stress eat, reward yourself when you’re PMS-ing, or let loose on the weekends.

Need help keeping your paws off of the chips? Other research shows that the most effective strategy is to steer clear of situations that you’ll find tempting in the first place. But when that's not an option, these tips can help:

The RIGHT Way to Eat Out with Friends While Dieting

How NOT to Gain Weight at Happy Hour

The Simple Way to Eat Less

4 Easy Ways to Control Cravings

The Time You're Most Likely to Binge

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